10 Naxalites Gunned Down In Chhattisgarh, HM Shah Reaffirms March Deadline To End Red Terror

Gariaband: At least 10 Naxalites were gunned down in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Thursday. Following the success of the operation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the security forces and issued stern warning to Naxals and their sympathisers.

"Our security forces have achieved another major success against the Naxalites. In Chhattisgarh, CRPF's Cobra commandos, Chhattisgarh Police, and DRG conducted a joint operation and eliminated 10 notorious Naxalites, including CCM Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj, who carried a bounty of Rs one crore," said Shah in a post on X.

He further warned, "Remaining Naxalites should surrender in time. Complete eradication of red terror is certain before March 31st."

Earlier in the day, Raipur Range inspector general of police Amresh Mishra said the gunfight broke out in the forest under Mainpur police station limits when security personnel were out on an anti-Naxalite operation.

Based on the intelligence of the presence of Naxalites in the forests of Mainpur, a contingent of Gariaband security personnel left for the operation on Thursday morning.

"Personnel belonging to the Special Task Force (STF - a unit of the Chhattisgarh police), E-30 (a unit of the district police), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action - an elite unit of the CRPF) and other state police units are involved in the operation. Intermittent exchange of fire is still underway," the IGP said.

The Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha also confirmed the encounter. The SP initially said that over five Naxalites have been killed though he added that the exact number can be confirmed later. The operation is being conducted under the deadline of March 31, 2026, given for the elimination of Naxalism, Rakhecha said.

Police sources said Modem Balakrishna, a senior leader and Central Committee Member (CCM) of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), was probably killed in the gun battle.

Meanwhile, at least 26 Naxalites have been arrested in the joint operation in the state. During interrogation, the accused confessed that they were planning to plant IED to harm the police.

The arrests have been made from Gangaluur, Bhairamgarh, Usur, Awapalli and Tarrem areas. The arrested Naxalites include active members of the organisation, militia commanders, DAKMS members and Jantana Sarkar officials.

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