Topmost Maoist leader Basavaraju among 27 naxals killed in Chhattisgarh: Amit Shah

New Delhi: CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement, was among the 27 Naxals killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced.

Shah said that this is for the first time in three decades of India's battle against Naxalism that the security forces have neutralised a general secretary-ranked leader.

Officials said that Basavaraju was in his late 60s, PTI reported. The encounter took place in the dense forests of Abhujmad on the tri-junction of Narayanpur-Bijapur-Dantewada districts, they said.

In a post on X, Shah wrote, "A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement".

Applauding the "brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough", the Home Minister said that he was glad to share that after the completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 others have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

"The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026," he added.

In an X post, Narendra Modi said, "Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people."

According to a PTI report, the operation involving personnel of DRG from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon was launched two days ago based on intelligence inputs about the presence of central committee and politburo members of Maoists, as well as senior Maad division cadres and PLGA (Peoples' Liberation Guerilla Army) members.