In a significant security operation in Chhattisgarh, Indian forces have reportedly killed Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, a top Maoist leader and general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). This operation resulted in the deaths of 27 rebels overall, as confirmed by Home Minister Amit Shah. This represents the first killing of a Maoist leader at such a high level in thirty years. Sadly, the confrontation also claimed the life of one police officer.
Rao, an engineer by profession, was considered one of India's most wanted, listed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which plays a critical role in counter-terrorism measures. The intense firefight occurred in Narayanpur district, triggered by intelligence reports of senior Maoist leaders' presence in the vicinity. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in the forces for their success in this operation via a post on X.
In response, the Communist Party of India has condemned the incident and has called for an independent investigation into the matter. This clash follows last month’s initiation of a comprehensive military campaign, dubbed Black Forest, against Maoist activities. As part of this operation, authorities have reported the arrest of 54 rebels and the surrender of 84 individuals from the states of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
The Indian government has emphasized a commitment to ending the Maoist insurgency by March 2026. Maoist insurgents, who draw inspiration from the ideologies of Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been a persistent force since the late 1960s, beginning in West Bengal and now exerting control over large territories in what is termed the "red corridor" across India. Despite recent declines in violence due to major offensives, ongoing confrontations continue to lead to numerous casualties, with government data indicating that around 287 rebels were killed last year, mostly in Chhattisgarh. Since the insurgency's inception, the death toll has exceeded 10,000 lives.
