At least 14 Naxalites, including a senior cadre, were killed in an encounter with security forces near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in Gariaband district, police reported on Tuesday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the joint operation conducted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Odisha’s Special Operation Group (SOG), and Chhattisgarh Police. Shah declared that efforts to achieve a Naxal-free India are nearing fruition, stating, “Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces neutralized 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.”
The operation began on January 19 following intelligence about Maoist activity in the Kularighat reserve forest, located 5 km from Odisha’s Nuapada district. Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha confirmed that among the deceased was Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member of the Maoists carrying a ₹1 crore bounty. The identities of the remaining cadres are yet to be confirmed.
The police reported an initial encounter on Monday, during which two women Naxalites were killed, and a CoBRA jawan sustained injuries. A fresh exchange of gunfire occurred late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in a forested area near the Manipur police station along the border, leading to 12 additional Naxalite casualties. Intermittent gunfire is ongoing, and officials anticipate the death toll may rise.
A significant cache of arms, ammunition, and IEDs, including a self-loading rifle, was recovered from the encounter site, officials said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the success of the operation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 2026. “Under the double-engine government (BJP at the Centre and state), we are achieving significant progress in our goal of eliminating the Maoist menace. I salute the bravery of our soldiers,” Sai stated.
This year, security forces have already neutralized 40 Naxalites in separate operations across the state. On January 16, 12 Naxalites were killed in an encounter in Bijapur district. The Maoists later admitted in a statement that 18 cadres had died in the gunfight.
In 2023, a total of 219 Naxalites were eliminated in separate operations across Chhattisgarh. Security forces continue to target Maoist strongholds to weaken their influence in the region.