Security forces killed 10 Maoists, including top leader Modem Balakrishna, and arrested 26 others in major operations across Chhattisgarh. Explosives and propaganda material were seized, marking a decisive blow to Naxalism as India moves toward its 2026 eradication goal.
In one of the most significant anti-Maoist crackdowns in recent months, security forces neutralised 10 Maoists, including a senior CPI-Maoist leader, and arrested 26 others during coordinated operations across Chhattisgarh on Thursday.
The first operation unfolded in the dense forests of Mainpur in Gariaband district, where joint teams of the Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and E30 Gariaband acted on precise intelligence regarding Maoist movement. In the ensuing encounter, 10 Maoists were killed, among them Central Committee member Modem Balakrishna, a high-ranking leader of the banned CPI-Maoist.
Balakrishna, 58, also known by his aliases Balanna, Ramchandra, and Manoj, hailed from Warangal district in Telangana. He had been a key figure in Maoist operations across central India and carried a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head. His elimination is being hailed as a “decisive blow” to Naxal insurgency in the region. Officials described his death as the “last nail in the coffin” of the decades-long Maoist movement in parts of Chhattisgarh and adjoining states.
Arrests in Bijapur District
In a parallel series of operations, 26 Maoist operatives were arrested in Bijapur district. These arrests, which targeted various Maoist strongholds, were the result of coordinated action by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur, local police from Gangaloor, Bhairamgarh, Usur, Awapalli, and Tarrem stations, and units of CoBRA 205 along with the CRPF’s 196th and 62nd battalions.
Among those arrested were six Maoists carrying a combined reward of ₹13 lakh. Security forces also recovered a large cache of explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), cooker and tiffin bombs, detonators, safety fuses, wires, and batteries, in addition to digging tools and Maoist propaganda materials such as banners, posters, and pamphlets.
During preliminary questioning, the arrested Maoists confessed their involvement in plans to plant IEDs targeting security personnel. Police have registered cases under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Explosives Act. All accused have been sent to judicial remand.
A Pattern of Declining Maoist Strength
The operation is part of a broader security strategy that has seen significant gains against Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Telangana over the past year. Regular joint operations, combined with better intelligence networks, have crippled the Maoists’ ability to regroup.
Officials highlight that the arrest and neutralisation of cadres have not only reduced operational strength but also disrupted their recruitment and propaganda drives. The seizure of propaganda material in Bijapur further underscores the Maoists’ attempts to maintain influence in remote areas, a strategy increasingly thwarted by intensified policing.
Government’s Pledge to Eliminate Naxalism
The Union Government has consistently reaffirmed its determination to completely eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at multiple forums, has credited the efforts of security personnel for their sacrifices and commitment in restoring peace in the so-called “red corridor”.
The latest crackdown is being regarded as a major step towards fulfilling this commitment. State officials noted that the twin operations in Gariaband and Bijapur not only neutralised key Maoist figures but also struck a psychological blow to remaining cadres.
Symbolic Impact of Balakrishna’s Death
The death of Modem Balakrishna carries special significance in counter-insurgency circles. As a long-time leader of the banned CPI-Maoist, Balakrishna was involved in strategic planning and coordination of attacks across multiple states. His neutralisation, coupled with the arrests of several operatives, weakens both the ideological and organisational leadership of Maoist outfits.
Moving Towards a Maoist-Free Chhattisgarh
The Thursday operations reflect a strategic shift in counter-Naxal policy, combining swift intelligence-driven strikes with follow-up arrests and seizures. Officials believe that this comprehensive approach will accelerate the process of ending Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh and adjoining states.
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For decades, Maoist violence has hampered development and created insecurity in tribal and rural areas. However, the combined determination of central and state forces, backed by government policy, is now turning the tide. With leaders like Balakrishna eliminated and cadres steadily dismantled, the vision of a Maoist-free Chhattisgarh by 2026 appears closer than ever.
