Daijiworld Media Network- Srinagar
Srinagar, May 22: In a landmark achievement in the ongoing battle against Naxalism, security forces neutralised 27 Maoists, including CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, during a fierce encounter in the dense Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh on the Narayanpur-Bijapur border, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The massive crackdown came at a cost as one District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan lost his life, and several other personnel sustained injuries in the days-long combing operation. However, officials described the encounter as a "watershed moment" in India's fight against Left-Wing Extremism.
Basavaraju, who carried a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore, was one of the most wanted Maoist commanders and considered the topmost leader of the outlawed outfit. His death marks a decisive blow to the Naxal command structure, with many senior leaders believed to be cornered during Operation Black Forest, a sustained anti-Naxal offensive launched three weeks ago in the Koreguttalu Hills.
“This is the first time in over three decades of counter-insurgency that a general secretary-ranked Maoist has been neutralised. It's a historic success,” stated Union Home Minister Amit Shah, hailing the bravery and strategic precision of the security forces.
Born in Jiyyannapet village of Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, Basavaraju, son of a school teacher, was a B.Tech graduate from Warangal Regional Engineering College. Drawn into Leftist student activism in the early 1980s, he went underground after his arrest during a student protest in 1980. From then on, he remained a shadowy figure, masterminding deadly ambushes, engineering jungle warfare, and creating IEDs.
He is suspected to be the brain behind several major Maoist attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre in which 76 CRPF jawans were martyred—one of the deadliest strikes on Indian forces.
Despite the nationwide manhunt and a staggering bounty, Basavaraju remained untraceable for decades, with intelligence agencies lacking updated photos or confirmation of his age.
In the latest operation, four secret arms factories used by Naxals were busted, and a massive cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives was seized.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media, praising the forces for their unwavering commitment. “A major step towards a Naxal-free India. The nation stands proud of our brave hearts,” he posted.
Officials confirm the battle is far from over but say the elimination of Basavaraju, a linchpin of Maoist operations, will likely disrupt their leadership chain and reduce their operational capabilities across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
Security forces are continuing combing operations in the Abujhmad region, with drone surveillance and ground intelligence working in tandem to locate other top leaders still at large.
With Basavaraju’s fall, the Maoist stronghold in the heart of Bastar has been shaken like never before.