In what is being termed as the largest-ever-anti -Naxal operation in the country, over 20,000 security personnel from three states have surrounded over 1,000 Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, according to sources. At least five naxals have been killed in the operation involving security personnel from Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
The massive crackdown comes as Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to eliminate naxalism.
The operation, which has been ongoing for over 48 hours, was launched following intelligence inputs on the presence of top Naxal leaders, including the elusive and most-wanted commander Hidma and battalion chief Deva.
BREAKING : 5 Naxals killed, around 1,000 surrounded including top Naxal leader Hidma in the biggest op involving 20,000 troops in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.
Looks like Naxalism is going to end from India in a few days.
Prayers for our security forces. pic.twitter.com/fvX2dIjNVb
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) April 24, 2025
Security personnel belonging to different units, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), all units of the state police, as well as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite Commando Battalions for Resolute Action (CoBRA), are involved in the operation.
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The security forces have surrounded the Karregutta hills, located along the sensitive Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, to cut off all escape routes for the Naxals.
The area, surrounded by dense forests and a series of hills, is considered to be the base of Maoists’ battalion no. 1.
A few days ago, the Naxals had issued a press note and warned villagers against entering the hills, saying that a large number of IEDs had been planted in the region.
The development comes at a time when the government has made making India “Maoist-free” its priority. “Before March 31, 2026, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from the country so that no citizen of the country has to lose his life due to it,” Amit Shah said in February.
