New Delhi: On May 14, 2025, security forces achieved a landmark victory in India’s battle against Left-wing extremism (LWE), neutralizing 31 Naxalites in a 21-day operation at Karreguttalu Hills (KGH) on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. Described as the “biggest-ever operation against Naxalism,” this high-impact mission has dismantled a critical Maoist stronghold, bringing India closer to its goal of becoming Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed the operation as a testament to the nation’s resolve to eradicate Naxalism and restore peace in affected regions.
Operation Black Forest: A Coordinated Offensive
Launched on April 21, 2025, Operation Black Forest targeted the fortified Karreguttalu Hills, a strategic hub for major Naxal organizations, including the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion 1, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), Telangana State Committee (TSC), and Central Regional Committee (CRC). The operation involved an unprecedented 26,000 personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh’s Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guards (DRG).
The operation was initiated following intelligence inputs from multiple security agencies indicating the presence of top Maoist leaders, including the notorious PLGA Battalion 1 commander Madvi Hidma, in the Karreguttalu Hills. A strategic meeting of senior CRPF, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana police officials paved the way for a meticulously planned offensive. The forces faced extreme challenges, including scorching heat, rugged terrain, and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines.
Despite these adversities, the security forces executed 21 encounters with Maoists over the 21-day period, culminating in the elimination of 31 Naxalites, including 17 women and 14 men. Of these, 28 bodies were identified, collectively carrying a bounty of ₹1.72 crore. The operation also resulted in the destruction of 214 Naxal hideouts and bunkers, significantly disrupting their operational capabilities.
Key Outcomes of the Operation
The operation yielded significant recoveries, underscoring the scale of Maoist activities in the region. Security forces seized:
- 35 weapons, including automatic and semi-automatic firearms.
- Over 450 IEDs, detonators, and explosive materials.
- 12,000 kilograms of logistical supplies, including medical equipment, electrical components, and Maoist propaganda literature.
- Four Maoist technical units responsible for manufacturing weapons and IEDs were destroyed.
Notably, the operation targeted high-value Naxalites, including two divisional committee members, five area committee members, two people’s party committee members, and three women PLGA members, each carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh. However, due to the challenging terrain, not all bodies could be recovered, leaving uncertainty about whether Madvi Hidma was among the casualties. Jitendra Kumar Yadav, Bijapur’s district superintendent of police, noted that fleeing Maoists may have carried away some bodies, including those of senior leaders.
Despite the operation’s success, it came at a cost. Eighteen security personnel sustained injuries, with eight wounded in IED blasts. Tragically, three commandos from Telangana’s elite Greyhounds force were killed in an ambush on May 7 in a separate encounter near Wajedu, Mulug district. Two other personnel lost limbs in separate blasts. Swift evacuation via helicopters ensured injured personnel received prompt medical treatment.
Government Leadership Applauds Security Forces
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X to celebrate the operation’s success, stating, “Achieving a historic success in the resolve of #NaxalFreeBharat, security forces killed 31 notorious Naxalites in Kurraguttalu Hills (KGH) on Chhattisgarh-Telangana border in the biggest ever operation against Naxalism.” He emphasized the absence of security force casualties during the core operation, lauding the bravery of CRPF, STF, and DRG personnel who operated in harsh conditions.
Shah further highlighted the symbolic significance of the operation: “The hill on which the red terror once reigned, today the tricolour is flying proudly.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Prime Minister Modi echoed these sentiments, posting on X, “This success of the security forces shows that our campaign towards rooting out Naxalism is moving in the right direction. We are fully committed to establishing peace in the Naxal-affected areas and connecting them with the mainstream of development.”
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the operation as the “biggest anti-Maoist operation in the country,” saluting the courage of forces who endured “scorching heat, rugged terrain, without shade or water.” CRPF Director General G.P. Singh and Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam, in a joint press conference in Bijapur, confirmed the operation’s outcomes and expressed confidence that it marked the “beginning of the end” of Maoist violence.
Maoist Response and Calls for Dialogue
In the wake of the operation, the Central Committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) (CPI-Maoist) issued a statement through its spokesman, Abhay, urging the Union government to initiate peace talks to end the violence. The Maoists announced a unilateral ceasefire and welcomed interest from Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his predecessor in pursuing dialogue. However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar rejected the ceasefire, insisting that Maoists lay down arms first.
Abhay countered that such a decision required a democratic process within the CPI-Maoist’s organizational structure, involving approval from both the Central and Core Committees. He emphasized that a government-announced ceasefire and a conducive atmosphere were prerequisites for these committees to convene and deliberate.
The Broader Context of Naxalism in India
Left-wing extremism, or Naxalism, originated in 1967 in Naxalbari, West Bengal, rooted in Maoist ideology advocating armed insurrection and parallel governance to seize state power. The “Red Corridor,” spanning states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, has been the epicenter of Maoist insurgency. The movement claims to champion the rights of Indigenous tribes and demands land and jobs for the marginalized.
Despite its persistence, Naxalism’s footprint has significantly contracted. The number of Naxal-affected districts has plummeted from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2025, with severely affected districts dropping from 35 to 6. Violent incidents have decreased from 1,080 in 2014 to 374 in 2024, and security personnel deaths have fallen from 287 to 19 over the same period. Since 2014, security forces have eliminated 2,089 Maoists, with 928 surrendering in 2024 and 718 in 2025 so far.
The government attributes this progress to a zero-tolerance policy outlined in the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, operationalized through the SAMADHAN strategy (Smart leadership, Aggressive strategy, Motivation, and training). Security measures, such as the Modernization of Police Forces scheme, have been complemented by development initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and Aspirational District Programme. Additionally, 320 security camps and 68 night landing helipads have been established to secure former Maoist strongholds.
Challenges Fueling Naxalism
Despite these gains, Naxalism persists due to deep-rooted socio-economic and governance challenges. Social alienation, limited access to education and healthcare, and ineffective implementation of the Forest Rights Act and Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) have fueled discontent. Allegations of state high-handedness and human rights violations during anti-Naxal operations have further complicated the situation, prompting calls for dialogue from affected communities and civil society.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Outlook
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered 17 First Information Reports (FIRs) to probe the financial and logistical networks supporting the Naxalites. This investigation aims to dismantle the insurgency’s backend operations, further weakening its infrastructure.
CRPF DG G.P. Singh expressed optimism about achieving the March 31, 2026, deadline, stating, “Whatever we had set out to do, we have achieved more than that.” The operation’s success, coupled with intensified efforts since 2019, reflects a synergistic approach between central paramilitary forces and state police, bolstered by enhanced intelligence and infrastructure.
As India inches closer to its Naxal-free goal, the Karreguttalu Hills operation stands as a pivotal moment in the fight against Maoist insurgency. By dismantling a key stronghold, recovering critical resources, and neutralizing high-value targets, security forces have sent a clear message: there will be no safe haven for extremists. However, the Maoists’ call for dialogue and the complex socio-economic drivers of Naxalism underscore the need for a balanced approach that combines security measures with inclusive development and, potentially, peace negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the Karreguttalu Hills operation, and why is it significant?
The Karreguttalu Hills operation, dubbed Operation Black Forest, was a 21-day anti-Naxal mission launched on April 21, 2025, on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. It targeted a major Maoist stronghold, neutralizing 31 Naxalites, including high-value targets, and dismantling 214 hideouts. Described as the “biggest-ever operation against Naxalism,” it significantly disrupted Maoist operations, advancing India’s goal of becoming Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.
2. Who conducted the operation, and what challenges did they face?
The operation involved 26,000 personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) of the CRPF, Chhattisgarh’s Special Task Force (STF), and District Reserve Guards (DRG). Forces faced scorching heat, rugged terrain, dehydration, and threats from IEDs and landmines. Despite these, they executed 21 encounters with no security force fatalities during the core operation, though 18 personnel were injured.
3. What were the key outcomes of the operation?
Security forces eliminated 31 Naxalites (17 women, 14 men), including two divisional committee members and three women PLGA members with ₹8 lakh bounties each. They seized 35 weapons, over 450 IEDs, and 12,000 kg of logistical supplies, and destroyed four Maoist technical units. The operation disrupted the unified headquarters of major Naxal groups like PLGA Battalion 1, with a total bounty of ₹1.72 crore on the identified targets.
4. How has the Indian government responded to the operation’s success?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the operation, with Shah noting the symbolic hoisting of the tricolour on a former Maoist stronghold. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai called it the country’s largest anti-Maoist operation. CRPF DG G.P. Singh expressed confidence in achieving a Naxal-free India by 2026, citing the operation as a pivotal step.
5. What is the Maoist response, and what are the broader challenges in addressing Naxalism?
The CPI (Maoist) Central Committee, via spokesman Abhay, announced a unilateral ceasefire and urged peace talks, which were rejected by the Union government unless arms are surrendered. Naxalism persists due to socio-economic issues like social alienation, limited access to education and healthcare, and governance challenges, including poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act and PESA. The NIA is probing financial and logistical networks with 17 FIRs to further weaken the insurgency.
