Chhattisgarh: Top Maoist leader killed in Bijapur encounter

The operation was based on specific intelligence about the movement of senior Maoist leaders in the region.

Updated on: Jun 5, 2025, 19:59:40 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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A central committee member of CPI (Maoist) was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Indravati National Park area of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Wednesday, police said. A senior Chhattisgarh officer confirmed the death of Sudhakar.

Security personnel after an operation against Maoists in March in Chhattisgarh. (File)

The development comes a month after Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh.

The operation, carried out by a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and elite CoBRA units, was based on specific intelligence about the movement of senior Maoist leaders in the region, a statement issued by Bastar police claimed.

According to officials, intelligence inputs indicated the presence of multiple high-ranking Maoist cadres in the area, including Telangana State Committee member Bandi Prakash and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Pappa Rao, besides Sudhakar.

According to officials, intelligence inputs indicated the presence of multiple high-ranking Maoist cadres in the area. (Sourced HT photo)

“Acting swiftly, a well-coordinated was operation was launched deep inside the forested region of the Indravati National Park, which is known to be a Maoist stronghold,” the Chhattisgarh police officer claimed.

Also Read: Maoists claim Basvaraju was captured, killed; police call it ‘fabricated propaganda’

During the exchange of fire, security forces killed Gautam alias Sudhakar, a long-time central committee member who carried a heavy bounty and was considered one of the key ideologues and strategists of the Maoist movement in central India, the officer added.

“The combing operation in the jungle is going on,” the officer said, adding that preliminary reports suggest that other cadres may also have been injured or killed, although official confirmation on the same is awaited.

Security forces have recovered weapons, explosives, and Maoist literature from the site of the encounter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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