Anti‑Naxal Operations Intensify in Bastar Belt
Security forces have dealt fresh blows to left‑wing extremism in the Bastar region, with at least two naxals killed in a Bijapur encounter just hours after reports emerged of a 22‑lakh‑inam naxal being shot dead by his own comrades in neighbouring Odisha. The back‑to‑back developments highlight how cracks are widening within naxal groups even as the State continues aggressive anti‑Naxal operations.
Bijapur Encounter: 2 Naxals Killed in Indravati Forest
In Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a joint security team gunned down two uniformed naxals in dense forests near the Indravati river. The operation followed intelligence that armed cadres had gathered in the Jair‑Dodum area under Jangla tehsil.
Security forces say the Maoists opened fire first, prompting a retaliatory exchange in which both naxals were neutralised. A woman naxal was among the two killed, underlining that women still form a core part of the insurgents’ armed units.
Weapons Recovered in Bijapur
Officials have confirmed seizure of an SLR rifle, an INSAS rifle, a 12‑bore gun, explosive material and daily‑use items left behind by the group. Bijapur SP Dr. Jitendra Yadav said the recovered weapons and equipment indicate that naxal elements continue to operate in pockets, though in much‑reduced numbers compared with earlier years.
22‑Lakh‑Inam Naxal Anvesh Shot by Own Men in Odisha
Across the border in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, a 22‑lakh‑rupee‑reward naxal named Anvesh was allegedly shot and secretly buried by his own comrades. The 26‑year‑old was reportedly the area party commander of the KKB‑AN group in Pakri Reserve Forest under Daringbadi tehsil.
Police say Anvesh was preparing to surrender with 12 associates, which triggered suspicion among hard‑line cadres. A senior “most wanted” naxal, Sukuru, and others are suspected to have carried out the killing, treating Anvesh as a potential informer.
Internal Rifts and Surrender Push
Kandhamal SP Harisha BC described the incident as a symptom of internal factionalism and growing distrust within the naxal outfit. The State has repeatedly urged remaining cadres to take advantage of the rehabilitation policy and rejoin mainstream life instead of dying in the jungle.
Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, Maoist DVCAM “Maaes” Barsa, active since 2003 in Dandakaranya, Abujhmad and north Bastar, surrendered with an AK‑47 rifle. Her induction into the Maoist network two decades ago and eventual return to civilian life reflect the changing trajectory of the movement.
Heavy Toll Since 2024 in Anti‑Naxal Operations
Data from Bijapur police shows that since January 2024, 232 naxals have been killed in the district, 1,163 arrested and 888 surrendered. In 2025 alone, 163 Maoists were neutralised in separate encounters; 11 more have been killed in 2026 so far.
Officials say the once‑prominent MMC (Maharashtra‑Madhya Pradesh‑Chhattisgarh) zone has effectively been dismantled, and even the northern Bastar‑Abujhmad belt has seen near‑total clearance. Around 200 armed cadres remain in fragmented pockets, mainly in southern Bastar, rather than functioning as a cohesive force.
Why This Matters Now
With operations focused on the remaining top‑value targets such as Mukulla Laxman Rao (alias Ganapati) and Mishir Besra, the killing of Anvesh and the Bijapur encounter underline how both infighting and sustained anti‑Naxal operations are reshaping the conflict. For local communities in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, these events signal a gradual shift from armed violence to a phase where surrendered and eliminated cadres may soon outnumber those still active in the jungle.
