The massive anti-Naxal operation, now on its eighth day running, is in progress across a vast 800-square-kilometre region along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, including the hilly terrain of Karegutta, senior police officers said. More than 24,000 personnel from state and central forces are deployed in the operation, either directly or as support staff.
The main goal of this operation is to regain the area from the influence of various Maoist groups, such as the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), Telangana State Committee (TSC), People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, CRC Company, and other affiliated Maoist forces. These rebels have traditionally utilized the inaccessible terrain as a hideout for planning violent attacks on civilians.
The Naxals had issued a statement last month stating that they had laid many Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the area, causing several civilian casualties and the unfortunate death of a woman near Usur. Officials again emphasized that removing the explosives from the area and making the area safe for the local people is a high priority.
The authorities have certified that the operation will continue unabated until every Maoist factor is rooted out of the area. They also appealed to the Naxal cadres to give up the path of violence and surrender and provide them a chance for their rehabilitation and reincorporation in society.
Up to now, three Naxals have lost their lives and their bodies recovered. Two security personnel, in the meantime, suffered minor injuries during the operation.
The initial accident happened on April 24 when an STF (Special Task Force) Jawan got his ankle sprained after an IED explosion.
A second IED explosion on April 26 hurt a DRG (District Reserve Guard) Jawan, who is also said to be in stable condition. Both injured soldiers are being treated and are likely to return to duty soon.
Based on accurate intelligence about the locations of senior Naxal leaders—such as infamous commanders Hidma, Damodar, and Deva—security personnel from Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Telangana have encircled the Karegutta forest and hills in Bijapur district.
Troops from Chhattisgarh's DRG, Bastar Fighters, STF, CoBRA, and the CRPF are involved in what is being called the biggest anti-Naxal operation in India's history.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai have regularly reaffirmed their intention to remove armed Maoist insurgency from Chhattisgarh by March 26, 2026. Emphasizing stern action against violence, they have, at the same time, made appeals to militants to put down arms and live in peace as civilians.
Ever since the BJP government took charge in Chhattisgarh on December 3, 2023, security operations have resulted in the neutralization of 365 Naxal cadres and arrest of 1,382 others. With the policies of government-led surrender and rehabilitation, 2,306 insurgents have surrendered voluntarily and entered the mainstream.
In 2025 alone, 144 Naxals have been eliminated, 367 arrested, and 476 have surrendered.
