In a major success for security forces, a fierce encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district led to the killing of 16 Naxalites on Saturday morning. The encounter took place during an ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the forests of the Kerelapal police station area. Officials have confirmed that two security personnel were also injured in the operation but are out of danger.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police officials, intelligence inputs had indicated the presence of a large group of Maoists in the forests near Kerelapal. Acting on this information, a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a search operation on Friday night. The operation turned into a heavy exchange of fire on Saturday morning when the security personnel came face-to-face with the armed Naxalites.
After hours of intense gunfire, security forces successfully neutralized 16 Maoists. Officials also recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, and other Maoist-related materials from the encounter site.
Search Operation Continues
Inspector General of Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, confirmed that the operation is still underway. “We have so far recovered the bodies of 16 Maoists, and the search operation is ongoing to sanitize the area and locate more weapons and possible hideouts,” he stated. The identification process of the slain Maoists is currently in progress.
The two injured personnel are being treated at a nearby medical facility and are reported to be in stable condition.
Record Number of Naxal Deaths This Year
This encounter is part of a broader, intensified anti-Maoist operation being carried out across Chhattisgarh. In fact, 2025 has already seen over 116 Naxalites killed till March, making it one of the deadliest years for Maoists in recent times. The number is expected to rise as operations continue in other Maoist-affected districts like Bijapur, Dantewada, and Kanker.
Just last week, more than two dozen Maoists were killed in encounters across Bijapur and Kanker, though one security personnel was also martyred during those operations.
Government’s Target: Eliminate Maoism by March 2026
The Government of India has set an ambitious target to end the Maoist insurgency by March 31, 2026. This timeline has accelerated anti-Naxal operations and development activities simultaneously. Data shows that in 2024 alone, 219 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh compared to just 22 in 2023 and 30 in 2022.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also reported that nationwide this year, 113 Maoists have been killed, 104 arrested, and 164 have surrendered. The increasing surrender count is being seen as a sign of weakening morale within the Maoist ranks.
Bastar: The Core of the Red Corridor
The Bastar division, which includes Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Kondagaon, remains the epicenter of the Maoist insurgency. This region is often referred to as the “Red Corridor” due to the high concentration of Maoist activity.
Thousands of CRPF, DRG, and other security forces have been deployed in this area with a dual strategy — conducting continuous operations and simultaneously pushing forward development projects, especially roads, bridges, and communication infrastructure. The aim is to choke Maoist influence by connecting remote areas with mainstream development.
PM Modi to Visit Chhattisgarh on March 30
Adding significance to these recent operations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Chhattisgarh on March 30, where he will inaugurate several key infrastructure projects and meet people affected by Maoist violence. The visit is being seen as a morale booster for the forces and a message to insurgents about the government’s commitment to restoring peace.
New Security Camps Strengthen Control
Security forces have also established 17 new permanent camps in previously Maoist-dominated zones, including the dense Abujhmad forest, a largely unmapped 4,000 sq km area shared by Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. This area had long remained a Maoist stronghold due to its difficult terrain and lack of administration.
With these camps, forces have now managed to penetrate deep into the Maoist heartland, limiting their mobility and influence.
