16 Maoists Killed in Chhattisgarh Security Operation

In a sustained anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma and Dantewada districts, Indian security forces killed at least 16 Maoists, including a high-ranking commander with a bounty of ₹25 lakh. The operation, which involved the District Reserve Guard and CRPF's CoBRA unit, was based on intelligence of Maoist activity and resulted in a fierce gunfight. Alongside the deaths, a large cache of weapons, including AK-47s and rocket launchers, was recovered. These efforts are part of a broader government strategy to eradicate the Maoist insurgency by March 2026, as reiterated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Meanwhile, 15 Maoists surrendered in Dantewada, citing disillusionment with their ideology, and will benefit from the state's rehabilitation policy. This operation follows a series of recent encounters where security forces have increasingly targeted Maoist strongholds, aiming to end a decades-long insurgency that has claimed over 10,000 lives.