Top CPI (Maoist) leader Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju is among the 27 Maoists who have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, declared Home Minister Amit Shah.
The encounter, which lasted for over 50 hours, took place along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border.
"A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement. This is the first time in three decades of Bharat's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralized by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough," Mr Shah posted on X.
A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2025
"Also glad to share that after completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026," the Home Minister added.
The encounter began after District Reserve Guard's jawans from four districts of Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Kondagaon were out on an operation in the Abujhmad area, following intelligence inputs on the presence of senior cadres of the Maad division of Maoists.
Basavaraju was formerly the head of the Central Military Commission and later became the General Secretary, the highest position in the Maoist hierarchy. He was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and police forces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore had been placed on him. Officials say his death is a major blow to insurgency in the region, potentially disrupting Maoist leadership and regrouping efforts.
Madhu, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee leader, was also killed, says sources.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao confirmed the success of the operation and said that the state is committed to become Maoist-free by March 2026. "I congratulate Union Home Minister Amit Shah and (Chhattisgarh home minister) Vijay Sharma and all our forces that they are conducting operations in temperatures of 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. The people of Bastar want peace and development," he added.
The encounter comes a month after security forces undertook the 'Operation Black Forest' to combat Maoist presence near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
During the 21-day-long operation, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police neutralised 31 Maoists carrying a reward of Rs 1.72 crore. 214 Maoist hideouts and bunkers were destroyed, Improvised Explosive Devices, BGL shells, detonators and explosive material were seized and nearly 12,000 kilograms of food supplies were also recovered.
Earlier this week, 24 Maoists, including 14 with a combined bounty of Rs 28.50 lakh on their heads, surrendered in the Bijapur district.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
