Top security officials declared on Wednesday that the illusion of Maoist invincibility has been completely shattered, and the insurgency will be decisively wiped out by March 31, 2026. They shared details of the extensive 21-day anti-Naxal campaign conducted in the Karregutta hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.

Starting on April 21 from Bijapur district, the operation involved about 20,000 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Police. The briefing was led by DG CRPF Gyanendra Pratap Singh and DG Chhattisgarh Police Arun Dev Gautam.

During the offensive, which concluded on May 11, 31 Maoists were killed, including 16 women fighters, revealed SP Bijapur Jitendra Kumar Yadav. Security forces seized 35 weapons such as SLRs, INSAS, and other automatic firearms.

Out of the deceased, 28 have been identified, carrying combined bounties worth ₹1.72 crore. The forces demolished 214 Naxal hideouts, uncovering 450 IEDs, 818 grenade launcher shells, 899 detonators, and a huge amount of explosives, along with 12,000 kg of food supplies.

Yadav added that several senior Maoist leaders are believed dead or critically wounded. Challenging terrain has prevented recovering all bodies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly promised eradication of Naxalism by March 31, 2026. DG CRPF Singh affirmed ongoing relentless operations with intensified efforts since 2019, aiming to stamp out the insurgency completely.

Since 2014, the most affected districts dropped from 35 to 6, with violent incidents declining from 1,080 to 374 by 2024. Security personnel deaths plunged from 287 to 19, and over 2,000 Maoists were neutralized. Over 1,600 Naxals surrendered this year.

Security camps and helipads have been established to consolidate gains and prevent resurgence.

Shah called the operation a historic breakthrough, praising the bravery of troops who fought in difficult conditions with no casualties. Under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is committed to becoming Naxal-free by March 2026.

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