Top Maoist leader among 27 killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

Top CPI (Maoist) leader Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju is among the 27 Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh, police said on Wednesday.

The encounter, which lasted for nearly 50 hours, took place along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border. "A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement. This is the first time in three decades of Bharat's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough," Home minister Amit Shah posted on X.

Keshavrao was wanted by the NIA and police forces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and carried a bounty of ₹1.5 crore. Officials say his death is a major blow to insurgency in the region, potentially disrupting Maoist leadership and regrouping efforts. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded security personnel for eliminating Keshavrao, along with 26 other dreaded Maoists in a fierce encounter, and the leadership of Narendra Modi in a decisive battle against Naxalism. "This success achieved by the soldiers is commendable. I salute their bravery," he said. Sai paid tribute to a martyred DRG jawan, who was killed in the encounter.