At least 20 Maoists were killed on Monday in a gunfight with security forces during a joint operation conducted by the Odisha and Chhattisgarh police. This incident follows the killing of two women Naxalites by security forces in Chhattisgarh just a day earlier.
According to a senior police officer, a top Naxal commander, Jayram alias Chalapathi, who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore, was among those killed.
The joint operation commenced on January 19 following intelligence reports about the movement of Maoists from the Sonabeda-Dharambandha Committee. The operation involved personnel from the Gariaband District Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and Odisha’s Special Operation Group (SOG), units specialized in anti-Naxal operations.
The encounter broke out around 8 am on Monday in the tiger reserve, located approximately 60-70 kilometers from the Gariaband Headquarters and about 20 kilometers from the Odisha border.
Security Forces Achieve Major Success
According to a senior Chhattisgarh Police officer, more than 10 Maoists have been gunned down, though search operations are still underway. “More information can be provided after the forces complete their search operations and return,” The Indian Express quoted the senior police officer as saying.
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The Odisha Police have suggested that the casualty numbers could be higher. In addition to the fatalities, security forces have recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, indicating the Maoists’ preparedness for significant operations. “A massive search operation is underway, and joint efforts against Maoists will continue,” a senior Odisha Police officer confirmed.
Recent Maoist Activities
This encounter follows a smaller skirmish on January 3 in the same district, where one Maoist was killed. It also comes a day after two alleged women extremists from the Sonabeda-Dharambandha Committee were neutralized in an operation involving the same security forces. During that operation, a CoBRA jawan sustained minor injuries.
The latest operation adds to the tally of over 36 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh this year alone. Security forces have also suffered losses, with nine personnel and one civilian driver killed in Maoist attacks.
Joint Efforts in Tackling Left-Wing Extremism
Interstate cooperation between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has been pivotal in curbing Maoist activities. Odisha Police reported that 15 Maoists have been neutralized in 2025 during joint operations involving state forces and the Central Armed Police Force. Despite these successes, officials remain concerned about Maoist movements along the Kandhamal-Boudh-Kalahandi-Nuapada axis, driven by an influx of extremists from Chhattisgarh.
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To address this, security forces are prioritizing intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. “We are emphasizing joint efforts and intelligence-based strategies to eliminate the Maoist menace,” a senior Odisha Police official stated.
