Security forces killed 27 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, including Basava Raju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist and the top leader of the Naxal movement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the operation a landmark achievement in India’s decades-long battle against Naxalism.
Shah shared the update on X, saying, “Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our forces neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Basava Raju, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement.”
A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2025
Shah noted that this is the first time in 30 years that forces have eliminated a general secretary-ranked Maoist leader. He praised the security agencies for the breakthrough. “After Operation Black Forest, 54 Maoists have been arrested and 84 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra,” he added.
Shah also reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
Prabhat Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Narayanpur, said the encounter began Tuesday morning and continued into Wednesday. The operation took place in the Abujhmad forest of Narayanpur district.
Police confirmed the recovery of 27 bodies and weapons. Among the dead was Basava Raju, who carried a ₹1.5 crore bounty. One District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan died during the gunfight.
Forces had received intelligence that Basava Raju was hiding in Boter, a forested area at the junction of Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Bijapur. Troops moved in, and Maoists opened fire as they reached the site.
State Home Minister Vijay Sharma hailed the operation as a major success. Last month, Shah had appealed to Maoists in Bastar to return to the mainstream and join development efforts. He also warned that the government would make no compromise and that forces would not withdraw.
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