52 new forward bases, 1,562 surrenders mark 2025 in Bastar: Police

New Delhi: The three most Naxal-affected districts of Chhattishgarh has seen the setting up of 52 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in 2025, Bastar police have said in a statement. Of these, 22 were opened in Narayanpur, 18 in Bijapur and 12 in Sukma, according to officials. In 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 -- 15, 19, 16 and 30 FOBs were set up respectively, they added.

Till December 21, this year, 1,562 Maoist cadres including central committee members T Vasudeva Rao alias Rupesh and politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu Dada have surrendered. Eleven CC members, including general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basava Raju and five DKSZCM, were eliminated in encounters. A total of 99 encounters took place between security forces and Naxals as compared to 123 in 2024.

IGP (Bastar Range) Inspector General of Police Bastar Range Sundarraj Pattlingam said that in 2026, "equal priority will be accorded to security, development, and trust-building. Continuous efforts will be made, in coordination with the local administration and all stakeholders, to ensure last-mile delivery of government welfare schemes, expansion of infrastructure, and strengthening of opportunities in education, healthcare, and employment".


Sundarraj added, "Through police-public partnership, dialogue, and social harmony, it will be ensured that Bastar leaves behind the legacy of fear and violence and moves decisively toward a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous future so that, with Resolve 2026, Bastar would certainly emerge beyond its identity of conflict to become a strong symbol of peace, trust, and development."

A total of 256 Maoists, 23 security personnel and 46 civilians were killed in 2025, as per Bastar police. The major setback for banned CPI (Maoist) came in November this year when their most feared commander Madvi Hidma was killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh.