Senior CPI (Maoist) commander Barse Deva, aged 48 and known by aliases Barse Sukka and Darshan, surrendered to authorities in Hyderabad on January 3, 2026, ending a two-decade reign marked by devastating attacks across central India. The Koya tribal from Puvvarthi village in Sukma district handed over 48 light machine guns and Rs 20 lakh in cash during the formal surrender before Telangana Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy.

Deva joined the Maoist movement in 2003 after initial involvement in underground activities from 2000 through the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisaan Mazdoor Sangh. Rising through ranks from foot soldier to commander of the feared People's Liberation Guerrilla Army Battalion No 1, he became a key strategist and close associate of the late Madavi Hidma, wielding significant influence in south Bastar, Dantewada and Sukma regions.

Security agencies attribute over 121 deaths and more than 55 injuries to operations directly linked to Deva, including major IED blasts, ambushes and assaults on security forces and civilians. Notable incidents encompass the 2013 Jhiram Ghati convoy massacre that claimed 27 Congress leaders, the 2021 Tekulagudem ambush killing 22 jawans, and multiple attacks resulting in substantial casualties among CRPF, DRG and state police personnel.

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Carrying a cumulative bounty exceeding Rs 1 crore, with Rs 50 lakh from Chhattisgarh Police and Rs 25 lakh from Telangana authorities, Deva was among the most wanted Maoist leaders nationally. Fluent in Koya, Telugu and Hindi, he progressed from area committee roles to divisional secretary before assuming battalion command.

Officials view the surrender as a major blow to the dwindling Maoist presence in south Bastar, accelerated by ongoing counter-insurgency efforts that have eroded the group's operational strength in recent years.

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