CHHATTISGARH — Security forces achieved a significant breakthrough by neutralizing 14 Maoists during the first major anti-insurgency operations of the year in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on January 3, 2026.
The offensive began early in the morning in Bijapur where 2 Maoists were killed in an encounter near Gaganpalli village starting around 5:00 AM. Subsequently, a larger confrontation took place at 8:00 AM in Sukma, resulting in the deaths of 12 additional Maoists near Pamlur village.
Furthermore, these synchronized efforts were strategically led by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialized unit of the state police. In addition to their tactical execution, the success of the missions was rooted in specific intelligence regarding the presence of armed Maoists in the area. Hence, these operations represent a decisive start to the year’s security efforts in the region.
Key Casualties and Recoveries
- High-Value Targets: Officials identified Mangtu (also known as Vetti Mangdu), a senior Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and secretary of the Konta Area Committee among the dead in Sukma. In Bijapur, the body of Hunga Madkam was recovered.
- Weapon Seizures: Security forces recovered a substantial cache of automatic weapons including AK-47s, INSAS rifles and SLR rifles as well as a 12-bore firearm.
- Casualties Among Forces: No injuries or fatalities were reported among the security personnel during these operations.
According to a statement from the Chhattisgarh Police, the encounter in Sukma resulted in the significant decimation of the Konta area committee. In light of this, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attributed the operation’s success to a combination of precise strategic planning and a sustained presence of forces on the ground.
These recent engagements align with the Union Home Ministry’s broader mandate to completely eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026. This objective follows a year of high-intensity activity in 2025 during which 285 Maoists were killed in various operations across the state. Meanwhile, intensive combing operations remain ongoing in both districts as security forces work to secure the terrain and search for any remaining Maoists.
