In a significant development in the fight against Naxalism, a joint operation by security forces resulted in the elimination of 14 Maoists, including Pratap Reddy, a top Maoist leader who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. The operation, conducted along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, has been hailed as a major victory by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Operation Group (SOG) Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police for their success. In a post on X, Shah stated: “Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today.”
The joint inter-state operation began on the night of January 19, following intelligence reports about the presence of a large group of Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest of Chhattisgarh, just 5 km from the Nuapada district border in Odisha. The coordinated effort involved personnel from Odisha and Chhattisgarh Police and the CRPF.
Two women Maoists were killed on January 20, and a significant cache of firearms, ammunition, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), including a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), was recovered. The operation continued into the night of January 20 and the early morning of January 21, resulting in the elimination of 12 more Maoists.
Among the deceased was Pratap Reddy, the head of the Odisha state committee and one of the most wanted Maoist leaders in the region. His elimination is being seen as a significant blow to the Maoist movement.
The operation led to the recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition. A massive search operation is currently underway to secure the area and ascertain the total number of casualties, which may increase as the search progresses.
This operation follows a series of successes in the anti-Maoist campaign. In 2024, six Maoists were killed, eight were arrested, and 24 surrendered. In 2025 so far, 14 Maoists have been killed in joint operations with the Chhattisgarh Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
Top officials from the CRPF in Odisha closely monitored the operation, underscoring the importance of inter-state collaboration in combating Maoist activities.
The security forces have intensified their efforts to root out Maoism from the region. With the elimination of key leaders and the dismantling of armed cadres, the government’s objective of achieving a Naxal-free India seems closer to realization. The current operation marks another milestone in this ongoing battle against insurgency.
