The security forces in Chhattisgarh have delivered a decisive blow to Naxal insurgency, along the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border. In a major operation conducted on Sunday morning in the Indravati National Park area of the Bijapur district, over 1,000 security personnel reportedly neutralised 31 Naxal insurgents.

All 31 bodies of the Naxals have been recovered and are currently undergoing identification as search operations continue across the region.

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Acting on credible intelligence regarding a significant Maoist presence, the forces from the Bastar Fighters, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Special Task Force (STF) launched an expansive operation that quickly encircled the enemy. In the ensuing clash, the security forces not only eliminated 31 insurgents but also recovered a substantial cache of arms and explosive materials. Among the recovered items were automatic rifles, grenade launchers, and other critical weaponry that underscore the scale of the threat.

While the operation was a significant tactical victory, it came at a steep cost. Two soldiers, one each from DRG and STF, were martyred during the encounter, and two additional personnel sustained injuries. The injured have been airlifted to Raipur for advanced medical treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation, stating, “In the pursuit of a Naxal-free India, our security forces have achieved a major success in Bijapur. In this operation, we have neutralised 31 Naxal insurgents and recovered a large quantity of weapons and explosive material. Today, while we celebrate this victory, we also mourn the loss of two brave soldiers. The nation will always be indebted to these heroes. I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families and reaffirm our commitment to eradicating Naxalism from our country by March 31, 2026.”

Bastar Range Inspector General Sundarraj P emphasised that the dense forest cover of the Indravati National Park has long served as an ideal operational area for Naxal elements. “Given the concentration of Naxal presence in areas like Abujhmad, National Park, and South Bastar, our forces remain vigilant. Our intelligence led operations continue to disrupt and dismantle their network,” he added. He also noted that in 2024, the security forces had recovered 217 Naxal bodies in various encounters.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai echoed the sentiment, stating, “Our security forces are striking at the heart of the Naxal network. The recent encounter in Bijapur, where 31 insurgents were eliminated, is a testament to their courage and determination. While we grieve the loss of our two martyred soldiers and extend our best wishes for the swift recovery of the injured, we are resolute in our commitment to secure a Naxal free state.

In our double-engine government, over the past thirteen months, we have eliminated 282 Naxals, arrested 1,033, and secured the surrender of 925 insurgents. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh will be rid of Naxalism by March 2026.”

This operation is part of an intensified campaign against Naxalism in the state. Earlier on February 2, security forces in the Gangalur area of Bijapur district neutralised eight Naxal insurgents after a large scale encirclement involving 800-1,000 personnel targeting PLGA Company Number 2, a unit that included key Naxal leaders. In that encounter, significant quantities of arms including INSAS rifles, 303s, 12-bore weapons, and a BGL launcher were recovered.

It is also noteworthy that between January 20 and 21, in the dense jungles of Gariyaband district, an 80 hour long operation resulted in the elimination of 16 Naxals. Among those killed, 12 had a bounty of ₹3.16 crore, and high-profile figures such as Chalpati, a member of the Naxal Central Committee with a ₹90 lakh bounty, and Satyam Gavade, head of the Nuapada-Gariyaband-Dhamtari Division Committee, were also neutralized.
The recent successes underscore a sustained and evolving effort by the security forces to dismantle the Naxal network in Chhattisgarh. With rigorous operations continuing and new reinforcements being deployed, authorities remain determined to secure all regions affected by Naxal activities. As the operation in Bijapur unfolds, officials reiterate that every measure is being taken to ensure that no citizen loses their life to this long-standing menace.