In a significant achievement for anti-Naxal operations, top Maoist leader Ganesh Uikey, a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and head of the outfit in Odisha, was killed along with five other cadres in an encounter with security forces in Odisha's Rampa forest area on Thursday. The operation, conducted in the Kandhamal district, also claimed the lives of two women Maoists, marking a major setback for the insurgent group.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the development as a crucial step toward a Naxal-free India, stating on social media that six Naxalites, including Uikey, had been neutralised in the ongoing major operation in Kandhamal. The joint operation was launched based on precise intelligence from the Special Intelligence Wing, targeting areas under Chakapad police station and bordering regions of Ganjam district.

The operation involved an extensive deployment of forces, comprising 23 teams, including 20 from the Special Operations Group (SOG), two from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and one from the Border Security Force (BSF). Officials described Uikey as the administrative backbone of the Maoist movement in Odisha and neighbouring regions, responsible for logistics, finances, and communication during the insurgency's peak.

Also Read: DRG Constable Killed in Accidental Firing During Anti-Naxal Operation in Chhattisgarh

With Uikey's elimination, security forces have shifted focus to veteran Maoist leader Devuji, who is reportedly weakened by age-related ailments and now plays a limited role in holding together the remnants of the organisation. Officials noted that Devuji's influence has significantly diminished amid sustained pressure from security operations.

The encounter underscores the steady erosion of Maoist influence in eastern India, driven by territorial losses, declining local support, and enhanced surveillance. Authorities view Uikey's death as signalling the beginning of the end-game for armed Maoist activities in the region.

Also Read: Teen Maoist Involved in Deadly IED Attacks Lays Down Arms in Odisha