Amit Shah makes bold promise: Naxalism to end till March 2026

Chhattisgarh: In a decisive declaration, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a deadline to wipe out Naxalism from India by March 31, 2026. His remarks came after a successful counter-insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, where security forces eliminated 31 Naxals and seized a large cache of arms and explosives. Shah paid tribute to the two soldiers who lost their lives in the operation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending Naxal violence for good.  

Massive blow to naxals in Chhattisgarh 

In a major success for India's anti-Naxal strategy, security forces launched an operation in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, leading to the elimination of 31 Naxalites. This marks one of the biggest crackdowns on the insurgent group in recent times. The forces recovered a significant stockpile of arms and explosives, striking at the core of Naxal operations.  

Amit Shah’s pledge

Taking to social media platform 'X'(formerly Twitter), Amit Shah reiterated his government's resolve."I also reiterate my resolve that before March 31, 2026, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from the country so that no citizen of the country has to lose his life due to it."  

This strong statement underlines the Centre’s determination to put an end to Left-Wing Extremism, which has plagued various parts of the country for decades.  

Security forces sacrifice  

While the operation was a major success, the country lost two brave soldiers in the battle against Naxals. Shah expressed deep condolences to their families and assured that their sacrifices would not be in vain. "The country will always be indebted to these heroes. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers."  

Government’s strategy against Naxalism  

The Modi government has been consistently tightening the noose around Naxal activities. Increased deployment of security forces, modernized weaponry, and an aggressive intelligence-driven approach have significantly weakened Naxal strongholds in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The latest crackdown in Bijapur is seen as a crucial step in fulfilling Shah’s promise of a Naxal-free India.  

What this means for India’s security landscape 

With a firm deadline set for March 2026, the government is signaling the final chapter in India's fight against Naxalism. If achieved, this would mark the end of one of the longest-running insurgencies in India’s history. Citizens in Naxal-affected areas can hope for a future free from violence, and security forces are expected to intensify their operations in the coming months.  

Eradicating Naxalism by 2026

Amit Shah’s bold promise of eradicating Naxalism by 2026 has set the stage for an aggressive final push against insurgents. The recent success in Bijapur is a testament to the government’s resolve. With security forces pressing ahead, India seems closer than ever to achieving a Naxal-free future. Will the government deliver on its promise? The next two years will be crucial in determining the fate of this decades-long battle.