14 Maoists Killed in Major Operation Along Odisha-Chhattisgarh Border
Security Forces Deliver Another Blow to Naxalism
In a significant anti-Maoist operation, at least 14 Maoists were killed along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in Gariaband district, police reported on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Initially, the police had confirmed two fatalities on Monday, January 20, but the count was updated following the recovery of more bodies.
Among the deceased was Jayaram alias Chalpati, a senior member of the central committee—the Maoists’ highest decision-making body—with a reward of ₹1 crore on his head. The operation, hailed as a major success, involved joint efforts by the CRPF, Odisha’s Special Operation Group (SOG), and Chhattisgarh Police.
Union Home Minister and Chief Minister React
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the operation, calling it “another mighty blow to Naxalism” in his post on social media platform X. “Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat,” he said, lauding the coordinated efforts of the CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also congratulated the forces and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating Maoism by March 2026. He saluted the bravery of the personnel, emphasizing that this success marked significant progress toward their target.
Details of the Operation
- The encounter took place in the Mainpur police station area of Gariaband district.
- Personnel involved included members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), CRPF, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and Odisha’s SOG.
- A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during the operation.
- One CoBRA personnel sustained superficial injuries but is reported to be in stable condition.
Recent Anti-Maoist Efforts
Since January 1, 2025, security forces have eliminated at least 40 Maoists in multiple operations:
- Gariaband Encounter (January 20-21) – 14 Maoists killed.
- Bijapur Encounter (January 16) – Official reports initially confirmed 12 Maoist deaths, later revised to 18 based on a press release by Maoists.
Implications and Government’s Vision
The Gariaband operation marks the largest single-day Maoist casualty this year and reflects the intensified efforts under the government’s “Naxal-free Bharat” campaign. With the “double-engine government” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh aims to be Maoist-free by March 2026.
Security forces continue to conduct operations with determination, emphasizing coordinated action and the use of elite units like the CoBRA to tackle Maoist insurgency effectively.
