Indian security forces have killed 31 Maoist rebels during a three-week-long military operation targeting key guerrilla strongholds in the forested Karreguttalu Hills along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border, the government announced on Wednesday.
Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the assault as the "largest operation against Naxalism to date," adding that the strategic hill region, once dominated by "red terror," is now under government control, symbolically marked by the raising of the Indian national flag.
The offensive is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the remaining strongholds of the Maoist insurgency, also known as the Naxalite movement, which began in 1967 in the village of Naxalbari and grew into a decades-long conflict rooted in land rights and socio-economic inequality, reports AFP.
At its height in the mid-2000s, the Naxalite rebellion controlled nearly one-third of India and fielded an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 fighters. Since its inception, over 12,000 people — including rebels, security personnel, and civilians — have died in the conflict.
The Karreguttalu Hills were once a unified headquarters for several Maoist factions, serving as a vital training and logistical hub. Their capture marks a significant milestone in India’s effort to eliminate the insurgency.
Shah reaffirmed the government's goal to "eradicate Naxalism from its roots" by March 31, 2026, underscoring a commitment to ongoing operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed Shah’s sentiments, calling the success a sign that the fight against Naxalism is “moving in the right direction.” He added, “We are fully committed to establishing peace in the Naxal-affected areas and connecting them with the mainstream of development.”
The latest operation adds to a rising body count of rebel casualties in recent months. Government figures show that more than 400 Maoist insurgents have been killed since last year, including 30 in March, 31 in February, and 11 in separate encounters last month in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
As the conflict winds down, authorities are increasingly focused on integrating affected regions into national development efforts, aiming to prevent a resurgence of rebel influence.
