Security forces reclaim two strategic hills in India's largest anti-Maoist operation in Bastar, final showdown at Karregutta imminent

RAIPUR: In the biggest ever anti-Maoist operation in Bastar, security forces have reclaimed two hills as they advance towards Karegutta hills in Bijapur district which is the stronghold of several top-ranking Maoist leaders carrying bounties worth crores.
As the operation enters its 11th day, top officials told TOI that forces have covered less than 50% of the targeted hill and it’s a long way to go. The outcome of the operation is not only about the number of Maoists killed or weapons recovered, they said. Clearing the area of Maoist control and making the land safe again for the native population is also an important objective of this operation, officers said.
The biggest ever action was launched in the Bastar region on April 21 involving more than 24,000 security personnel from Chhattisgarh’s District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, and Special Task Force, and the Central Reserve Police Force and CoBRA.
What makes it biggest is the inaccessible terrain and dense forest spread on an area of around 800 square kms on both sides of the interstate border between Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur and Mulugu and Bhadrari-Kothagudem in Telangana.
When a video of security forces hoisting the Indian tricolour on the top of a hill took rounds on social media, there was a rush claiming it to be Karegutta hills.
When TOI spoke to senior police officials, they said, “The operation is a long process, and less than 50 per cent of the task has been done so far. There is a huge area left which is yet to be scanned. The major task is yet to be done.”
Another official said that the security personnel have reclaimed two hills Dobe and Neelam Sarai from Maoist control along the Bijapur-Telangana border, and hoisted the Indian national flag. The troops are advancing toward Karregutta hill which is still 45-50 kms ahead in trekking. It’s a very tough terrain and long stretch of inter-state border, which is why locals call it ‘Durga Raj pahad’.
Named as ‘Mission Sankalp’, an officer on condition of anonymity said that according to inputs, “over 500 Naxalites belonging to PLGA battalion No. 1, Telangana state committee (TSC) and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of Maoists led by dreaded leaders, including Central Committee Members Chandrana, Ramachandra Reddy, Sujatha, Hidma, batallion commander Barse Deva, were holed up in the area. The operations aims at clearing the area from the hold of DKSZC, TSC, PLGA battalion no. 1 and Central Regional Committee (CRC) company.”
“The Maoist units had been using the area as a safe hideout to execute their nefarious plan against the innocent native population and security forces while choppers and drones are also involved in the operation,” the officer added.
Speaking to TOI, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj said, “The outcome of anti-Maoist operation is not only about the number of Maoists killed or number of weapons recovered. Maoists had the audacity to plant multiple IEDs along the hill range, rivers and valleys in the sacred land of Bastar and warn the native population not to be venture into their own land.”
The big question is that from where the Maoists have derived the authority to do such nefarious act and cause damage to the lives and properties of innocent civilians, animals and other living beings.
Martyrdom of innocent tribal woman like Sushila Sodi, who got killed due to IED blast while grazing her cattle on Mar 30 in Usoor in Bijapur and many other children, women, men and jawans who are all victims of the mindless violence of the Maoists would always strengthen our resolve in the fight against the Maoists.
“The leadership is committed for the cause and the troops are highly motivated for the mission. All concerned stakeholders of Chhattisgarh state, neighbouring state governments and central government agencies are carrying forward the mission for peace and hope in Bastar region. For security reasons we can't disclose more details about any operations till it comes to an end,” Sundarraj said.
An official said that security personnel are expected to take full control of Karregutta within the next four days. The hill is seen as strategically vital due to its geographical dominance and the suspected presence of high-value Maoist operatives.
On April 24, three women cadres were killed in Bijapur operation with a huge cache of weapons and explosives recovered by security forces.
Politics Hot Up, HM Sharma Fumes
Politics also has hot up when former Telangana CM and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao had urged the Centre to put a pause to the operation, alleging that tribals and youth were being killed. Human rights activists and others have also asked the Centre to agree for peace talks initiated by Maoists and announce a ceasefire.
Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma has rejected the initiatives outright, questioning the sudden push for dialogue. "Where were these people when villagers and political leaders were being massacred in Bastar? Now that Telangana is feeling the heat, they suddenly want peace?" he said.
He recounted many incidents of Maoist violence including Jheeram ambush that killed frontline political leaders, Errabore incident when an 8-month-old infant was burnt alive along with others, dozens villagers were killed by Maoists.
“Who are they to talk for Maoists? Let the Naxalites talk for themselves. Those who want to talk, they have only issued letters and left. There can’t be any pressure. Tell me about the losses caused due to IED blasts and Naxal violence,” said Sharma.
Sharma emphasized that over 400 Maoists of Bastar have been killed in encounters,unters but the activists didn’t’ raise any objection, they are objecting now because the Maoists of Telangana are now being killed, which is paining them. He warned that any further violence would be dealt with decisively.
With forces now moving toward Karregutta, the outcome of this decisive battle may significantly alter the Maoist insurgency landscape in the region. Will this be the final nail in the coffin for the red insurgency in India’s heartland?