Latest news with #Maoist-dominated
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Silent terror new guerrilla tactic: Strangle not shoot to skirt forces
Nagpur: In a chilling shift of tactic, Maoists in Gadchiroli and Chhattisgarh have abandoned their signature headshot killings for a more sinister method — strangulation — to terrorise civilians and reassert their waning influence in erstwhile strongholds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This new trend, as observed in recent civilian killings, reflects the rebels' desperation in the backdrop of intensified security operations, likely scarcity of ammunition and avoiding any unwarranted attention of security forces, as per senior police officials. In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, Maoists recently strangled five villagers, accusing them of being police informers, an act confirmed by police as a deliberate attempt to instil fear. Similarly, in Gadchiroli, two key civilian killings this year, including the strangulation of 45-year-old Sukhram Madavi in Kiyer village on February 2, 2025, mark a departure from the Maoists' traditional use of firearms. Madavi, a former village panchayat head, was targeted for allegedly aiding police. "We have noticed Maoists resorting to strangulating civilians rather than pumping bullets in the head. This change may have been triggered either by a fear of exposing their location and movements or a scarcity of ammunition," said a senior Maharashtra police official. The last firearm-related civilian killing was reported in Gadchiroli in March 2023. Maoists are visibly facing heat following relentless operations by security forces including setting up of new camps in once considered 'no-go' areas like Abujmarh. A security agency report estimates less than 500 active Maoist cadres currently active across India and with influence confined to a few districts including Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Bijapur and Sukma (both Chhattisgarh). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Maoists' targets often include former aides or surrendered cadres. "The Maoists are targeting their former aides out of deep frustration. Surrendered Maoists are not allowed to return to their villages and hence their relatives are targeted," the Maharashtra police official added. Police have cautioned former associates of Maoists to avoid venturing out at night or entering Maoist-dominated areas, as the insurgents seek to punish perceived betrayals. This tactical shift comes amid significant Maoist losses. In 2025 alone, over 400 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh including top leader Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju, in a major operation in Narayanpur. As security forces close in, with a govt deadline to eradicate Maoism by March 2026, the Maoists' silent killings signal a desperate bid to cling to their fading influence in India's tribal heartlands.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Two villagers killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur: Police
Raipur: The Maoists have allegedly killed two villagers in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police officials said on Sunday. The killings took place in Sendrabor and Aempur villages in south Bijapur. (Representational image) According to a police statement, the killings took place in Sendrabor and Aempur villages, both located under the jurisdiction of Pamed police station in south Bijapur, a region known for significant Maoist activity. While the motive and exact timing of the murders have not yet been officially confirmed, police said they are in the process of verifying the details surrounding the incident. This development comes just hours before Union home minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Raipur for a two-day visit to the state. Shah is expected to review the security situation in the Naxal-affected areas, making the timing of the incident particularly significant. This is the second such killing reported from Bijapur in the span of a few days. On June 17, three villagers—including a 13-year-old boy—were strangled to death using ropes in Peddakorma village, also in Bijapur district. In that case, police said that two of the three victims were relatives of senior Maoist commander Dinesh Modiyam, who had surrendered to authorities in March this year. While official confirmation on whether the latest killings are linked to Modiyam's surrender is awaited, security agencies believe it could be part of a broader pattern of retaliatory violence by Maoists against those they suspect of supporting or cooperating with law enforcement. The police have increased vigilance and are expected to deploy additional forces in sensitive areas ahead of Shah's visit. A high-level review of internal security, particularly in Maoist-dominated belts of Bastar, is likely during his tour.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Cops intensify search for Maoists in Odisha forests
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The recent intensified operations against Maoists in Chhattisgarh has reportedly forced them to disperse and seek refuge in adjacent forest areas, police officials said. Acting on intelligence reports, the special operation group (SOG) and district voluntary force (DVF) launched search operations in Charmal forests of Sambalpur district. Intelligence reports suggest that there was suspicious movement of some rebels from Chhattisgarh, who took shelter in these forests, prompting swift action from security forces. "It is an area domination exercise that is being carried out as part of ongoing offensive, search, and combing operations in Maoist-dominated areas in the state. It is not fully confirmed if the rebels dispersed and are trying to shift their bases. Considering their dwindling numbers in Odisha, it is not likely that they will have any sort of offensive action against security forces," said a senior police officer privy to the ongoing operations. In Oct last year, a senior Maoist cadre was killed in a combing operation launched by SOG in Kandhamal district. Since then, no Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) Maoist was killed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The combing was launched at Budanai reserve forest under Baliguda police limits. Earlier, DGP Y B Khurania said Odisha police are working hard to nip Left-wing extremism in the bud, reiterating the police effort to meet the Centre's target of eliminating LWE violence by March 2026. Nearly four years after Boudh was declared Maoist-free, the Centre again in March included it in LWE-affected list and treated it as a security related expenditure (SRE) district. Boudh, Koraput and Bargarh have been categorised as districts of legacy and thrust. Nuapada and Malkangiri districts are treated as districts of concern while Kalahandi and Kandhamal as most affected district. Police officers said thrust districts are those, where there is scope for expanding Maoist activities and hence more focus and planning are required to carry out anti-Maoist operations as well as sensitising people.
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Business Standard
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Maoists' eradication can be achieved before deadline: Chhattisgarh CM
The Chhattisgarh government, highlighting the Sushasan Tihar campaign, stated that the eradication of Maoism can be achieved before the official deadline of March 2026. 'The way anti-Maoist operations are going on, I think we will eradicate the menace before the deadline,' said Chief Minister (CM) Vishnu Deo Sai. Vi During Sushasan Tihar, the CM visited Maoist-dominated areas like Bastar, where people demanded an end to the Maoist menace. 'It is the biggest problem that people are facing in Bastar, and I had assured them that they would get rid of it at the earliest,' he said. The Sushasan Tihar campaign (April 8-May 31) was a 27-day drive conducted in three phases to assess the performance of the state government at the grassroots level. During the campaign, the security forces received a decisive breakthrough by eliminating the Chief and General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju alias Gaganna, on May 21, 2025. He was killed in the forests of Abhujmad in Chhattisgarh. Sai covered all 33 districts of the state during the drive, in which 1,346 redressal camps were set up to resolve the grievances of people. 'In total 4,121,042 applications were received during the Sushasan Tihar, out of which 4,040,147 were related to demands raised by the people, while 80,895 were about complaints,' the CM said. Among the demands, 1 million people had urged for houses under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana. Sai said most of the demands and grievances were resolved in the camps themselves, while those left will be addressed in a time-bound manner.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
With Basavaraju gone, Maoist movement faces unprecedented weakness
In a turning point for India's long-running Maoist insurgency , the outlawed CPI (Maoist) was left without a leader for the first time in decades following the death of its general secretary, Nambala Keshava Rao , alias Basavaraju . The 70-year-old was killed in a 50-hour gunfight with security forces in the Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. His killing is being seen as one of the most decisive blows to the movement in years. Basavaraju's death comes at a crucial time. With central and state forces tightening pressure across Maoist-dominated zones, his absence now leaves the CPI (Maoist) without direction or a unified voice. Internal discussions are already under way to decide who should take over. Two senior leaders have emerged as frontrunners: 69-year-old Mallojula Venugopal, alias Sonu, a Brahmin from Telangana and seasoned political strategist, and 60-year-old Thippiri Tirupati, alias Devji, from the Madiga scheduled caste community, who serves on the Maoist military commission. A senior Telangana police officer observed, 'There was growing pressure within the organisation to ensure caste diversity in leadership. It now remains to be seen whether the party sticks to that line or opts for a more politically seasoned figure like Venugopal.' Other names in circulation include Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy, though his influence is limited, and Malla Raji Reddy, considered too old and previously arrested. Live Events 'Operation Kagar': The final blow The operation that led to Basavaraju's death — codenamed Operation Kagar — was launched on May 19 by joint teams of Chhattisgarh's District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and CRPF. Acting on weeks of intelligence, the units moved through the dense forests of Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada. The encounter lasted 50 hours. More than 30 Maoists were reportedly killed, with a significant cache of weapons and documents seized. Among the dead, sources confirmed, was Basavaraju — India's most-wanted Maoist leader, carrying a bounty of ₹2.02 crore. One DRG personnel lost his life during the fierce exchange. Who was Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju? Basavaraju was born on 10 July 1955 in Jiyannapet, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. An engineering graduate from NIT Warangal, he represented the state in volleyball and was once arrested in a student political scuffle in 1980 — the only time he had ever been taken into custody. He joined the People's War soon after and rose through the ranks over 35 years. A trained military strategist, he had received guerrilla training from the LTTE in 1987. Known for his tactical ruthlessness, he played key roles in several deadly ambushes and IED attacks. Among the most notorious incidents under his command were: The 2010 Dantewada massacre, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed. The 2013 Jeeram Ghati ambush, which left 27 dead, including senior Congress leaders. The 2018 Sukma IED blast that killed nine CRPF jawans. The 2019 Gadchiroli landmine attack, which claimed 16 lives. The 2021 Sukma-Bijapur ambush that led to 22 fatalities among security forces. The 2023 Dantewada IED explosion, killing 10 DRG personnel and a civilian driver. The 2025 Bijapur IED attack, which killed eight DRG men and one driver. His leadership also coincided with major setbacks for the Maoists, including heavy losses in the 2024 Kanker and Abujhmad encounters where dozens of cadres were neutralised. Shift in strategy and succession debate Basavaraju succeeded Muppala Laxman Rao, alias Ganapathy, in 2018 after the latter stepped down due to health reasons. Ganapathy had led the movement for 25 years — 12 as chief of the CPI (ML) People's War and 13 after it merged with the Maoist Communist Centre. While Ganapathy was viewed as an ideological leader focused on political outreach and expansion, Basavaraju brought a more militarised edge to the insurgency. Security agencies describe him as a 'clean-shaven man who now dyes his hair regularly' and 'walks briskly and swings either side while walking.' His base was often traced to Maad (Abujhmaad) and the AOB Zonal Committee area. An AK-47 was his constant companion. An intelligence note accessed by The Indian Express noted that Ganapathy had been grooming Basavaraju for leadership for years. They even held meetings together, including one at Parasnath Hills in Giridih in 2013. With Basavaraju gone, analysts say the next general secretary will inherit a fractured movement. The cadre today is torn between those advocating urban activism, those pushing for peace talks, and others still committed to armed struggle. Former leaders like Ganapathy remain underground but cut off. Others like K Ramchandra Reddy, Misir Besra, and Pothula Kalpana are under intense surveillance. The CPI (Maoist)'s top ranks have been systematically decimated. 'This is a critical moment in the fight against Naxals,' said one senior security official. 'We may actually be able to meet the deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end the insurgency by March next year.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly praised the efforts of the security forces. Shah, in particular, congratulated the Chhattisgarh Police's DRG unit for their 'exceptional courage and determination.' For the CPI (Maoist), the path ahead is uncertain. A leader is gone. The movement stands wounded. The future — for now — hangs in the balance.
