A major blow was dealt to the Maoist movement in south Bastar as seven ultras were gunned down during a three-day-long encounter (June 5–7) in Indravati National Park, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Police confirmed on Tuesday that five of the deceased have been identified.

Among those killed was Central Committee Member Sudhakar alias Narasimha Chalam, a top Maoist leader carrying a bounty of ₹40 lakh, shot dead on June 5. Another high-ranking cadre, Bhaskar Rao alias Maila Rapu Adelu, part of the Telangana State Committee, was neutralized the following day; he carried a reward of ₹25 lakh.

On June 7, five more Maoists were killed. So far, three of them have been identified:

  • Rainu, an area committee member in Indravati, with a bounty of ₹5 lakh

  • Suduru Punem, Sudhakar’s security guard and area committee member, also carrying ₹5 lakh bounty

  • Mahesh Kodium, a local cadre with ₹1 lakh reward

    • Two of the slain insurgents remain unidentified.

    Security forces recovered a significant cache of weapons, including:

    • Two AK-47s

  • One .303 rifle

  • One .315 bore rifle

  • One 12-bore country-made pistol

  • Two barrel grenade launchers (BGLs)

    • According to Bastar IG P Sunderraj, this operation adds to a staggering 409 Maoists killed in encounters across Bastar in 2025 alone.