Security forces today deliver a major blow to Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh, eliminating several top commanders during a fierce anti-Naxal operation. This significant victory marks a crucial turning point in the ongoing fight against the long-standing insurgency plaguing the state. The successful raid provides a critical advantage to government efforts aiming to restore peace and order in areas previously controlled by the armed group, signaling a serious setback for the Maoist movement.
Big Success in Anti-Maoist Fight
Security forces in Chhattisgarh have achieved a major success against Maoist rebels, eliminating two top commanders in a fierce gun battle. The operation, which took place on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district, saw the death of Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame. These two individuals were senior members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and had large rewards on their heads.
How the Operation Unfolded
The encounter happened in the forest area of Banda Pahad hill, near Retegaon village, under the Madanwada police station limits. A team from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was on an anti-Naxal mission when the exchange of fire began. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) also provided support during the operation. Police sources stated that the operation was launched on Tuesday night based on data about the presence of senior Maoist members in the area. The gunfight started on Wednesday afternoon as security personnel were surrounding the Banda Pahad area. After the firing stopped, the bodies of the two Maoists were found at the site. Police also found a large amount of Maoist literature and other items. Superintendent of Police YP Singh confirmed the details of the operation.
Who Were the Eliminated Commanders?
The two killed Maoist commanders have been identified as Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame. Vijay Reddy, aged 55, was a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the Maoists. He was also known by other names like Chinanna, Naganna. Shankar. Reddy had a reward of Rs 25 lakh announced by the government for his capture. He also carried rewards in nearby states, including Maharashtra. Police sources described Reddy as an vital Maoist leader in the area, which borders Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. he managed activities in the RKB (Rajnandgaon Kanker Border) division of the Maoist group. He was involved in several killings of civilians and attacks on security personnel. Lokesh Salame, 35, was a divisional committee member and the Secretary of the Rajnandgaon-Kanker Border (RKB) division. A reward of Rs 10 lakh was announced for his capture. Together, the two commanders had a combined bounty of Rs 35 lakh. ETV Bharat reported the combined bounty as Rs 1. 16 crore. Both Reddy and Salame were considered hardcore members and had been active with the Maoist organization for a long time.
Ongoing Efforts and Their Impact
This recent success adds to a series of effective anti-Maoist operations carried out by security forces in Chhattisgarh throughout the year 2025. So far this year, 229 Maoists have been eliminated in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh. Of these, 208 were killed in the Bastar division. The number of Maoists killed in 2024 was 219, a significant increase from 26 deaths in 2023, showing an approximately 750 percent rise in Maoist casualties. Earlier this year, on May 21, 2025, a massive operation in Narayanpur district resulted in the killing of 27 Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju. Basavaraju was the general secretary of the CPI (Maoist) and was considered a mastermind behind major attacks. His elimination was seen as a significant blow to the Maoist movement, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling it a landmark achievement. This was the first time in three decades that a Maoist general secretary-ranked leader was eliminated by security forces. In July 2025, another notable success occurred in Bijapur district, where a top Maoist sniper named Sodhi Kanna was killed. Kanna was a deputy commander and sniper in the Maoist’s armed unit, People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1. was close to another notorious Maoist leader, Madvi Hidma. His death was seen as a major setback for the Maoists’ sniper capabilities. The constant pressure from security forces has led to a shrinking of the Maoist areas of influence. The main military strength of the CPI (Maoist) is now largely limited to the Sukma-Bijapur axis and the Abujhmaad region in Chhattisgarh. Security forces are moving deeper into these areas and setting up new camps, which helps to cover areas that were once fully controlled by Maoists.
“With the latest success, 229 Naxalites have been neutralised in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 208 were eliminated in the Bastar division, which includes the districts of Bijapur, Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma. Dantewada.”
Government’s Goals and Future Outlook
The government has set a target to completely eliminate Naxalism from India by March 31, 2026. The ongoing and intensified operations in Chhattisgarh are a key part of achieving this goal. The state government has also been working on policies to help Maoists who surrender, offering them housing and skill development programs. In the past year, more than 800 Maoists gave up arms in Chhattisgarh. The state’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that 1,521 Maoists surrendered in the last 15 months, showing growing trust in the government in these areas. The increased presence of security forces and the setting up of new forward operating bases (FOBs) have helped to fill security gaps in previously inaccessible forest areas. This has also allowed for more development work, such as building roads and mobile towers, in areas affected by Maoists. But, security forces continue to face challenges. Maoists often use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on dirt tracks to target personnel. For example, on August 14, 2025, a DRG officer was injured by an IED in Bijapur district, though his condition was stable. There are also dangers from wildlife in the dense forest areas where operations take place. Despite these challenges, the forces are determined to continue their operations and pressure on Maoist groups. This combined approach of strong operations and efforts to bring Maoists into the mainstream aims to bring lasting peace and development to the affected regions. The elimination of key commanders like Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame is seen as a significant step in weakening the Maoist movement further.
| Year | Maoists Eliminated in Chhattisgarh |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 219 |
| 2025 (as of Aug 14) | 229 |
