Security Forces’ Big Win: 7 Naxals, 2 Top Leaders Killed in Bijapur Clashes

National News: security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district achieved a significant victory against Maoist insurgents, neutralizing seven Naxalites, including two senior leaders, during a three-day operation in the dense forests of Indravati National Park. Launched on June 5 based on intelligence about CPI (Maoist) movements, the operation involved the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and CRPF’s elite CoBRA unit. Among the deceased were Central Committee Member Gautam alias Sudhakar and top leader Bhaskar, carrying a combined bounty of ₹45 lakh.

 on X, the operation yielded an AK-47, explosives, and Maoist literature, marking a major blow to the insurgency. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the forces, emphasizing their relentless campaign, while human rights groups like PUCL raised concerns about potential extrajudicial killings, fueling local debates.

Strategic Operation Details

The encounters began on June 5 near Tekalgudem village, 70 km from Bijapur, when DRG teams spotted a 50-member Naxal unit led by Sudhakar, a key strategist with a ₹25 lakh reward. Over three days, coordinated assaults across four locations, supported by CoBRA’s jungle warfare expertise, resulted in seven Naxal deaths.  The forces recovered an AK-47, two SLRs, and Improvised Explosive Devices, disrupting Maoist plans for monsoon attacks.

Impact and Ongoing Challenges

The operation has weakened the CPI (Maoist)’s Bastar division, with Sudhakar’s elimination disrupting command structures.
. CM Sai, via X, linked the success to the state’s dual strategy of development and counter-insurgency, citing 1,356 Naxal casualties since 2023. The seizures highlight the group’s reliance on smuggled arms, prompting intensified border checks. Yet, the insurgency persists, with 3,000 active cadres in Chhattisgarh, per police estimates. Tribal discontent, fueled by mining projects and alleged human rights abuses, complicates efforts.