Security Forces Eliminate Top Maoist Leader Basavaraju in Chhattisgarh Operation

In a significant breakthrough in India’s battle against Naxalism, security forces eliminated CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, along with 26 other Naxals in an operation in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the operation a “landmark achievement,” marking the first time in three decades that a general secretary-ranked leader of the outlawed group has been neutralized.

Announcing the development on X, Shah praised the “brave security forces and agencies” for their success in the anti-Naxal operation. “Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist and the backbone of the Naxal movement,” he wrote.

The home minister also highlighted the impact of Operation Black Forest, revealing that 54 Naxalites have been arrested while 84 others have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra following the offensive.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism, Shah declared, “The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before March 31, 2026.”