31 Naxals, two cops killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, February 10, 2025: In one of the biggest assaults against Naxalism, 31 Maoists, including 11 women, were killed in a carefully-planned intelligence-based operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, which borders Maharashtra and Telangana.

Two security personnel of Chhattisgarh also died in the operation.

 Two injured security personnel were air-lifted from the jungle and shifted to hospitals.

The operation took place along the Indravati National Park of Bijapur, often considered the “resting place” or "safe haven" of the Naxals - as it is often used for regrouping by the Maoist ultras.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have set the 31 March 2026 deadline to end Naxalism and the recent successes in the Left-Wing Extremism affected steps is a major step in this direction.

“In the direction of making India Naxal-free, the security forces have achieved a big success in Bijapur. In this operation, 31 Naxalites were killed and a huge amount of arms and explosives were also recovered…also reiterate my resolve that before 31 March 2026, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from the country, so that no citizen of the country has to lose his life due to it,” Shah said.

The action followed days after two major successes - which dented the CPI (Maoist), which spearheads the Naxal movement.

On 22 January, security forces killed CPI (Maoist)’s Central committee member Pratap Reddy alias Chalapati and others in Garland along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.

On 1 January, Vimala Chandra Sidam alias Tarakka laid down her arms in Gadchiroli. Tarakka is the wife of Communist Party of India (Maoist)’s Central Committee member Bhupathi alias Sonu alias Venugopal alias Mallojula Venugopal.

Over the last couple of years, Naxalism has received a body blow with over 300 leaders and cadres being killed and several of them surrendering and joining the mainstream.

Speaking about the operation over the weekend, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that this is a major step in the direction of making India free of Naxalism. “The security forces are doing a great job,” he said, adding: “I congratulate the police and security forces for this success...two Jawans lost their lives, may their soul rest in peace.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said that the “final assault” on the Naxalite movement is underway. “Naxalism is in its final phases,” said Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister. “This is a body blow to the Naxal movement,” said Fadnavis in Chandrapur district, which borders the Gadchiroli district, considered the oscillating point of Naxalites between Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma said the operation was undertaken along the national park area of Bijapur, which was referred to as a ’resting place’ for Naxals.

“Police and security forces, more than 650, entered the Naxals’ den from various directions after several days of operations. They were able to neutralize 31 Naxals, all of whom were in uniform. From them, we seized weapons like AK-47s, INSAS rifles, BGL launchers, and other heavy automatic weapons,” he said.

“So far, 31 Naxalites have been killed. The operation is underway,” Bastar Range’s Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said.

Teams of Chhattisgarh police’s District Reserve Guard and the other from the Special Task Force were involved in the operation.

The elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were part of the operation.

“So far, 31 Naxalites have been killed. The operation is underway,” Bastar Range’s Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said.

Teams of Chhattisgarh police’s District Reserve Guard and the other from the Special Task Force were involved in the operation.

The elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were part of the operation.