In one of the biggest counter-Naxal operations in recent years, security forces eliminated over 34 Naxalites in the forests along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh. Among those believed to be killed is Basavaraju alias Nambala Keshava Rao, the top Naxal commander and current General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist). Basavaraju had a bounty of Rs one crore on his head and was one of India’s most wanted insurgents.
The Rise of a Rebel Commander
Hailing from Jiyannapeta village in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, Basavaraju was born in 1955 into a modest family. His father was a schoolteacher. After early schooling in his native village and nearby Talagam (his grandfather’s village in Tekkali revenue block), he went on to study engineering at the Regional Engineering College (now NIT) in Warangal.
It was during his college years that he was drawn into radical politics, first through the Radical Students’ Union and later the CPI (ML) People’s War. He abandoned his M.Tech midway in 1984 to fully commit to the Maoist cause – a decision that led him to sever all ties with his family and former life.
Gunfight in dense forests
The encounter broke out in the densely forested region between Abhujmad and Indravati National Park, when a joint anti-Naxal operation was launched by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from four districts. The area is considered a Maoist stronghold and notoriously difficult to access due to thick vegetation and hilly terrain.
According to Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also handles the home portfolio, more than 26 Naxals were confirmed dead, with the toll expected to rise. “Some of them are likely top cadres,” he stated.
Casualties
Tragically, a police supporter was killed during the operation, and one DRG jawan was injured. The condition of the injured personnel is said to be stable. The encounter is ongoing, and combing operations are still underway to locate any remaining insurgents and recover weapons and equipment from the site.
If confirmed, the death of Basavaraju would mark a major setback for the Maoist movement, especially in central India. His elimination would leave a significant leadership vacuum in the CPI (Maoist) ranks and could disrupt their activities in the region.
Funding Dried Up, Child Soldiers Condemned
Security agencies like the NIA and State Investigation Agencies have cracked down on Maoist financing. Officials condemned the insurgents’ continued use of child soldiers, noting their recruitment into wings like the Bal Sangham and Chetna Natya Mandali-where they are first couriers and later trained as fighters.
The Final Push: Countdown to 2026
The Maoist command structure is now said to be fragmented, with surviving leaders operating in splintered, smaller groups. Security forces aim to eliminate or force the surrender of remaining leadership by the end of 2025, targeting full eradication of the Maoist threat by 2026.
This operation, according to top brass, is not just a tactical success-it’s a psychological turning point. “It has broken the myth of Maoist invincibility,” said DGP Gautam, “and reignited hope for a future free from insurgency in the heart of India.”
