Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 21: After an intense encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, a total of 16 Naxals were confirmed dead, including two additional bodies recovered after the initial count of 14.
Inspector General of Raipur Zone Amresh Mishra reported that a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and other automatic weapons, were also seized during the operation, which is still ongoing.
The operation, carried out by a joint team of Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada, led to the neutralisation of a significant number of Naxals, including a high-profile target, Jairam alias Chalpati, a central committee member with a reward of one crore rupees on his head.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces, calling the operation a “mighty blow” to Naxalism, stating, “This is another significant step towards a Naxal-free Bharat. With the dedication of our security forces, Naxalism is nearing its end in India.”
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also expressed his satisfaction with the success of the operation, emphasizing that the death of Jairam marked a historic achievement in the fight against Naxalism. He stated, “This is the first time a Central Committee member has been eliminated in such an operation, and it’s a huge success for our security forces.”
Sharma also reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism nationwide, stating, “By March 2026, Naxalism will be completely eradicated from Chhattisgarh and across India.”
MP Supriya Sule of NCP-SCP also showed her support for the operation, stating, “We stand united in supporting the government’s efforts to eliminate terrorism. National security is paramount, and we are fully behind the government in this fight.”
The operation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxalism in India.