Key Maoist Leader Killed In Encounter In Chhattisgarh, Carried Rs 50-Lakh Bounty

In a decisive strike against Left Wing Extremism, security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region have achieved yet another landmark success. Central Committee Member of CPI (Maoist), Gautam alias Sudhakar, one of the country's most-wanted Maoists, was neutralized in a fierce gun battle inside the dense jungles of Bijapur's National Park area.

An AK-47 rifle, large quantities of explosive material, and other arms were recovered from the encounter site.

This comes days after the killing of CPI Maoist General Secretary Basavaraju on May 21 in Narayanpur - signaling a massive collapse in the Maoist brass operating across central India.

Acting on pinpoint intelligence, a joint strike team of DRG (District Reserve Guard), STF (Special Task Force), and CoBRA commandos was launched in Bijapur district on the morning of 5th June 2025.

The input had hinted at the movement of top Maoist leaders, including Gautam @ Sudhakar - Central Committee Member (CCM), Bandi Prakash - Telangana State Committee and Pappa Rao - Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee.

Nar Singhachalam alias Sudhakar was one of the most-wanted Maoist leaders.

Security forces cordoned off the area, leading to a heavy exchange of fire. 

Once the dust settled, the body of a senior cadre was recovered along with an AK-47. He was later identified as Gautam, a 67-year-old Maoist ideologue and military strategist.

Who Was Gautam?

Known by at least seven aliases, Gautam (real name Narasimha Chalam) was in charge of RePOS - the Revolutionary Political School, A key figure in the Central Regional Bureau responsible for the radicalisation and recruitment of youth, and mastermind of multiple attacks on civilians and security forces. He carried a bounty of Rs 40 lakh on his head in Chhattisgarh.

Hailing from West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, Gautam was one of the last remaining senior faces of the old Maoist guard.

With his death, the CPI (Maoist) has now lost two Central Committee giants in just 15 days.

Officials said this is not just an elimination -  it is a psychological fracture in the organisation. 

"This is a defining moment in the fight against Maoism. Our brave soldiers, despite tough terrain and danger, have carried out an operation that will be remembered for years," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said.

"The end of Red Terror is nearing. Naxalism is gasping for its last breath. The Bijapur operation proves that. This is a milestone in our mission to bring peace and development to the affected areas. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the resolve of Home Minister Amit Shah, we are on track to make India Naxal-free by March 2026," he added.

The Toll So Far

403 Maoists neutralized across theBastar range since 2024, 186 killed in 2025 alone. Operations continue in the region to track absconding cadres and recover more arms.