In a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh, a Maoist cadre carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh was neutralized in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district on Friday. The gunfight marks another success in the sustained anti-Naxal operations across the Bastar region.
The Encounter in Bhairamgarh Forests
The operation unfolded in the dense Aadwada–Kotmeta forests within the Indravati forest area of Bhairamgarh. Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of armed insurgents, a team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) launched a search and combing operation in the early hours. At around 6 am, the patrol made contact with the Maoists, leading to an exchange of fire.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav stated that the firing was intermittent. The Maoist squad eventually retreated deeper into the forest, allowing security forces to secure the encounter site.
Recovery and Identification of Slain Cadre
After the area was secured, personnel recovered the body of a single Maoist fighter from the spot. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Fagnu Madvi, an active member of the CPI (Maoist) Bhairamgarh area committee. Madvi was a wanted figure with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head.
A thorough search of the vicinity led to the seizure of a substantial cache of arms and materials. The recoveries included:
- A .303 rifle and a 9 mm pistol.
- Explosive materials and cordex wire.
- Two scanner sets and a radio set for communication.
- A medical kit, Maoist literature, pamphlets, and bags used by the cadres.
Security forces continued their search operations in the surrounding forest throughout the day. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties on the security forces' side.
Sustained Operations Weaken Maoist Structure
This incident is part of a series of successful operations in the region. Just a day earlier, on Thursday, three Maoists were killed in an encounter with DRG personnel in neighbouring Sukma district. That operation, aimed at locating a senior commander, also resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
Reflecting on the broader campaign, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, P Sundarraj, asserted that the relentless operations in 2025 have pushed Maoism in Bastar to its "last phase." He stated that the organizational structure of the outlawed outfit has "virtually collapsed." The IG appealed to remaining active cadres to renounce violence and surrender under the state government's rehabilitation policy.
The statistics provided by the police underscore the intensity of the campaign: 285 Maoists have been killed in encounters across Chhattisgarh this year. Of these, a staggering 256 fatalities occurred within the Bastar division alone. Officials believe the latest action further erodes the Maoist presence in the critical Indravati corridor, long considered one of their core strongholds.
This ongoing security push represents a critical phase in the long-standing conflict in India's Red Corridor, aiming to restore lasting peace and governance in the region.
