Chhattisgarh: Maoist with ₹5 lakh bounty killed in encounter, weapon seized

Maoist with ₹5 lakh bounty killed in Sukma gunfight; security forces intensify anti-Maoist operations in Bastar

Published on: Mar 29, 2026, 18:33:33 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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A Maoist cadre carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh was killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Sunday, police said.

Maoist carrying ₹5 lakh reward killed in Sukma encounter (Representative photo)

A team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) had launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs about Maoist presence, during which a gunbattle broke out in a forested, hilly area.

Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan said that intermittent firing continued between the DRG team and Maoists since the morning hours.

“During the search of the encounter site, the body of one male Maoist along with a weapon was recovered,” Chavan said.

Police identified the deceased as Moochaki Kailash, a platoon number 31 section commander (PPCM) and a resident of Poolanpad village in Sukma district.

Police said Kailash was carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh on his head and was wanted in multiple cases, including civilian killings, attacks on security forces and IED blast conspiracies.

Inspector General of Police of Bastar Range Sundarraj P said the window for Maoist cadres to surrender and avail rehabilitation benefits is “in its final phase,” appealing to the remaining cadres to shun violence and join mainstream life.

The development comes amid repeated assertions by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that Left Wing Extremism would be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026, with security forces intensifying operations in core areas of Bastar.

Further details are awaited as search operations in the area are ongoing, police officers said.

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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