Karregutta Hills in Flames: India’s Biggest Anti-Naxal Operation Enters Day 5
For the people of Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, the sound of helicopters, the movement of heavily armed personnel, and the tension in the air are no longer just moments of fear—they are signs of a war being fought for their future. In what is being described as India’s biggest anti-Naxal operation, security forces are battling Naxalite insurgents deep within the Karregutta hills and dense forests of the region.
The mission, ongoing for five intense days, is more than a counter-insurgency—it is a fight to restore peace and dignity to a land long held hostage by extremism.
#WATCH | Bijapur, Chhattisgarh: Biggest anti-Naxal operation is being carried out by security forces in the Karregutta hills and the surrounding dense forest area for the last 4 days.
Today is the fifth day of the operation. According to officials, three Naxalites have been… pic.twitter.com/UaL2hcN6dt
— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2025
A Region Held in Fear
The Red Corridor’s Dark Shadow
Bijapur lies in the heart of the Bastar region, often referred to as part of India’s “Red Corridor”—an area plagued for decades by Maoist insurgency. For the tribal families in Kasturpad village and surrounding areas, this has meant a lifetime of fear: no schools, no hospitals, no peace.
Armed Naxal groups have historically used Karregutta’s rugged hills and forest terrain as a natural fortress—evading law enforcement and executing attacks on security personnel and civilians alike.
Day 5: The Battle Continues
According to official reports, three Naxalites have been killed so far during the operation. Security forces, including CRPF, DRG (District Reserve Guard), and COBRA units, have been navigating harsh, hilly terrains, thick jungles, and landmine-prone paths.
Each step forward is dangerous. Every sound in the forest could be a sign of an ambush. But the soldiers keep pushing forward—driven not just by duty, but by the hope that this mission will end decades of bloodshed.
A Soldier’s Resolve
A CRPF officer involved in the operation shared on condition of anonymity, “We’ve been out here for days. No rest. No break. Just the mission. These jungles have taken too many of our brothers over the years. This time, we won’t stop until we reclaim this land.”
These are not just words of war—they’re words of sacrifice, of a long-drawn conflict between progress and those who seek to derail it through violence.
A Glimpse into Ground Reality
Kasturpad Village: Echoes of Conflict
Yesterday’s visuals from Kasturpad village—shared by media outlets—showed a hauntingly familiar scene: houses silent, villagers anxious, and armed personnel patrolling with caution. The villagers, caught between the Naxals and the security forces, have borne the worst of both worlds.
But many locals now say they see hope in this operation. “If they finish the Naxals, maybe my children can go to school,” says a tribal mother clutching her infant, standing just meters from where gunfire echoed the night before.
Why This Operation Matters
This isn’t just a mission about eliminating three or ten or twenty Naxalites. It’s about breaking the backbone of an ideology that uses fear as a weapon and poverty as a shield.
It’s also about showing the tribal communities of Bastar and Bijapur that the state has not abandoned them—that schools, roads, hospitals, and peace are possible.
And at the heart of it, this operation is about reclaiming Indian soil—not just geographically, but emotionally.
The Road Ahead
Security forces believe that the Karregutta stronghold, once dismantled, will significantly weaken the Naxal movement in southern Chhattisgarh. However, officials warn that booby traps, IEDs, and hidden bunkers remain major threats.
Helicopters continue aerial surveillance while foot soldiers search for hideouts. The terrain is harsh, the stakes are high—but so is the determination to end this battle once and for all.
