Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district witnessed a significant anti-Naxal operation over the weekend, with six Maoist cadres neutralized by security forces, police confirmed. Among those killed were high-profile leaders carrying a total reward of Rs 27 lakh, marking a major setback for the insurgent network in the region.

The operation, conducted in the forested north-western hills of Bijapur, involved a coordinated effort by the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the elite CoBRA unit of the CRPF. The security forces acted on specific intelligence regarding the presence of senior cadres, including divisional committee member Dilip Vedja and area committee members Madvi Kosa and Lakkhi Madkam.

Of the six Maoists killed, four have been positively identified as senior figures within the insurgency, including party member Radha Metta, all of whom were active in the National Park Area Committee of the Maoists. The identities of the remaining two cadres are still being confirmed. Authorities recovered six weapons from the encounter sites, including an AK-47, an INSAS rifle, a carbine, and a .303 rifle.

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This operation follows a series of successful anti-Naxal actions in Chhattisgarh, with four cadres killed the previous day. Cumulatively, at least 20 Maoists have been neutralized in the state in 2026 alone. On January 3, security forces had eliminated 14 insurgents across multiple districts, including Bijapur, highlighting the intensified counter-insurgency efforts.

The central government has emphasized the elimination of Left-Wing Extremism as a national priority, setting a March 31, 2026, deadline for eradicating such groups from India. With this latest operation, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling Naxalite networks and restoring security in affected regions of Chhattisgarh.

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