Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Jul 9: In a major win for anti-insurgency forces, the Narayanpur police in Chhattisgarh have captured six active Maoists — including two women — during a strategic operation in the dense forests of the Maad division, part of the insurgency-prone Bastar region.

The arrested individuals are believed to be part of the notorious Kutul Local Operating Squad (LOS), a unit long involved in several Maoist-led attacks and disruptions across the district. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, is being hailed as a major disruption to Naxal activities in the area.

Of the six detained, four are men whose identities are still being confirmed, while the two women — Paro Hapka and Sunita, alias Sangeeta Mandavi — are known Maoist operatives with a track record of violent involvement. Both were reportedly under police watch for their suspected roles in ambushes on security patrols and sabotage of public infrastructure.

A significant quantity of arms and explosives was seized during the arrests. Among the haul: a 12-bore barrel grenade launcher, two small grenade launcher (BGL) bombs, a tiffin bomb, a detonator, and several electronic components suspected to be used for fabricating IEDs. The items were found in the possession of Paro and Sunita.

Officials believe the group may have been planning another major strike, a threat neutralized by the swift action of the police. The arrests have not only removed a key cell from active operations but also averted potential attacks.

This development comes at a time of increased vigilance in the Bastar zone, with security being ramped up following recent gun battles and multiple Maoist surrenders. The ‘Maad Bachao Abhiyan’ — a state-led initiative to reclaim Naxal-affected tribal regions — has gained fresh momentum with this successful raid.

Police credited seamless coordination between intelligence teams and ground forces for the operation’s success, which concluded without any casualties.

The arrested Maoists are currently being interrogated, with authorities hopeful that the intel they provide will expose deeper operational links within the Kutul LOS and help dismantle other active cells.

This breakthrough is seen as a morale-lifting milestone for forces stationed in one of India’s most volatile conflict zones.