Amit Shah hails 'Mighty blow to naxalism' as 14 rebels killed in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh: A high-profile operation led to the elimination of at least 14 Maoists, two women among them, in an encounter on the border between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The operation, carried out by the Chhattisgarh Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA, and Odisha's Special Operation Group (SOG), occurred in the Gariaband district's thick forest. The dead include one Maoist for whom a ₹1 crore bounty had been declared. According to the officials, the operation is continuing, and more casualties are possible.

Amit Shah: "Another mighty blow to naxalism"

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation, saying it was a major step toward the elimination of Naxalism. In a post on X, Shah wrote, "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India, Naxalism is breathing its last today."

Operation based on precise intelligence

The operation started on January 19, based on intelligence inputs of Maoist movements in the Kularighat reserve forest, some 5 km from Odisha's Nuapada district. Security forces initiated a joint operation focusing on Maoist strongholds. On Monday, two women Maoists were reportedly killed, along with the capture of firearms, ammunition, and Improvised Explosive Devices, including a self-loading rifle.
 

Fresh exchange of fire

Late Monday night and early Tuesday, renewed clashes left 12 more Maoist dead. The government stressed that the operation is a testament to the unrelenting determination of security forces to stamp out the Maoist insurgency.

Government commitment to end naxalism

The central government has promised to root out Naxalism by 2026, a commitment repeated by Amit Shah after the January 6 attack that killed eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and a driver in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The Maoists detonated an IED on the Bedre-Kutru Road, one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in two years.

Heightening crackdown on Naxalites

This encounter takes place after intensified anti-Maoist operations for years. The DRG, or elite force of the state police, will have a significant role in combating Naxalite activities. In this regard, the government plans to combine intelligence-led operations with developmental initiatives to address the root causes of insurgency.