Top Maoist leader Milind Teltumbde killed in Gadchiroli encounter

Milind Baburao Teltumbde alias Deepak Teltumbde, one of the senior-most functionaries of the CPI(Maoist), was the special zone secretary for outfit’s MMC zone

Updated on: Nov 14, 2021, 10:53:04 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Milind Baburao Teltumbde alias Deepak Teltumbde, the central committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and head of the newly formed MMC zone (Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh confluence) zone of the rebels, was among the 26 killed in Saturday’s encounter in Gadchiroli, officials said on Sunday.

Milind Baburao Teltumbde alias Deepak Teltumbde alias Jeeva (HT Photo)

“As per the primary identification, Teltumbde was one of the 26 Maoists killed in Saturday’s encounter,” Gadchiroli superintendent of police Ankit Goyal said on Sunday, adding the identification of other slain rebels was underway.

At least 26 Maoists were killed in the gunbattle that took place on Saturday morning at Korchi in the Mardintola forest area of eastern Maharashtra. As per the primary identification of the slain Maoists, Lokesh alias Mangu Podiyam, commander Company 4, and Mahesh alias Shivaji Ravji Ghote, DVCM, Kasansur squad were killed too along with Teltumbde, people aware of the developments said.

The encounter ensued during a search operation of the C-60 police commando team, led by additional SP Soumya Munde.

Teltumbde alias Jeeva, one of the senior-most functionaries of the CPI(Maoist), was the special zone secretary for outfit’s MMC zone.

Milind was also an accused in the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad violence case, in which his elder brother Anand Teltumbde, a well known academician, is an undertrial placed in judicial custody.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its October 2020 charge-sheet filed in the Elgar Parishad case said Milind was inspired by his elder brother to join the Maoist ranks. “Milind alias Deepak is expanding the Naxal movement of Maoist in urban areas with the help of his elder brother Anand Teltumbde on the international level and took guidance from him. Milind was inspired by his brother to join the CPI (Maoist) movement,” the NIA charge-sheet said.

Also read | ‘Well-informed, well-read’: Deepak Teltumbade is the man tasked to form new Maoists’ zone

He was given the task to create a new territory that allowed rebels easy passage from east to west and vice-versa and a safe abode for the senior rebel leaders.

Senior intelligence officers believed Teltumbde had been visiting the MMC areas regularly and had recruited about 100 locals for a commando unit, called Vistaar Dalam, of MMC.

Teltumbde used to move with heavily armed bodyguards and a platoon of Maoists in the forests. According to senior Maoist leader Pahaad Singh, who surrendered in 2018, he took all major decisions of the outfit regarding the zone.

“He was the person who pushed the idea to develop Amarkantak as ‘base area’ of MMC, in a meeting in 2016, in which Central Committee Members (CCM) of the CPI(Maoists) including him were present,” a senior Indian Police officer (IPS) officer who interrogated Pahaad Singh, said.

Weapons recovered so far include five AK-47s, one AK with UBGL or under barrel grenade launcher, nine SLRs (self loading rifles), one Insas (Indian Small Arms System), three .303 rifles, nine 12 bore pistols. Further search is on, police officials 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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