Indian security forces have killed 31 Maoist insurgents during a three-week-long military operation targeting key rebel strongholds in the dense Karreguttalu Hills along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border, the government announced Wednesday.
Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the mission as the “largest operation against Naxalism to date,” declaring the once Maoist-dominated region under full government control. The symbolic hoisting of the Indian national flag atop the strategic hills marked a significant milestone in the decades-long battle against the left-wing insurgency.
“This is a turning point,” Shah said, reiterating the government’s goal to eliminate Naxalism “from its roots” by March 31, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the sentiment, stating the operation proved that the fight against Naxalism is “on the right path.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace and development in regions long affected by the conflict.
The Maoist rebellion, also known as the Naxalite movement, began in 1967 in the village of Naxalbari, driven by demands for land reform and social justice. At its peak in the mid-2000s, it controlled nearly one-third of India’s territory and commanded an estimated 15,000–20,000 fighters. Since its inception, over 12,000 people—including militants, security personnel, and civilians—have died in the conflict.
The Karreguttalu Hills had served as a vital training and logistics hub for several Maoist factions, making their capture a major strategic gain for Indian forces.
The recent operation is part of a broader crackdown that has intensified over the past year. Government data indicates that more than 400 Maoist rebels have been killed since last year alone—including 30 in March, 31 in February, and 11 in recent encounters across Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
As the insurgency weakens, authorities are shifting focus to integrating previously rebel-held areas into mainstream development plans, aiming to ensure lasting peace and prevent the resurgence of Maoist influence.
