16 Naxals Killed in Chhattisgarh, Top Commander Dead

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Joint forces killed 16 Naxals in a Chhattisgarh-Odisha border operation.
A top commander with a ₹1 crore bounty was eliminated.
The operation started on January 19, targeting dense forest areas.
Huge cache of arms and explosives recovered post-encounter.
Amit Shah said India is moving towards becoming Naxal-free.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Location and Background of the Encounter

The encounter occurred at the border of Gariaband district (Chhattisgarh) and Nuapada district (Odisha). This joint interstate operation, involving Chhattisgarh Police, Odisha Police, and CRPF, marks a significant step in curbing Naxal activities.

The Operation’s Beginning

Acting on intelligence about a Naxal presence in the deep forest, security forces launched the operation on January 19. Over 16 Naxals were killed in the subsequent gunfight, one of the largest recent successes against Naxalism.

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Key Outcome of the Operation

Among the deceased was Jayram alias Chalapathi, a top commander with a ₹1 crore reward on his head. Security forces also seized arms, explosives, and ammunition. Senior officials hinted at a possible rise in casualties as search operations continue in the dense forest region.

Reactions from Authorities

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the encounter as a landmark in India’s fight against Naxalism. He tweeted, “Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our forces are making India Naxal-free.” This aligns with his earlier statement that Naxalism would end in India by March 2026.

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Current Status of Naxalism

In recent years, the Indian government has achieved significant success in reducing Naxal activities. According to Chhattisgarh’s Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, 220 Naxals were killed in 2024, and 15 have already been neutralized in 2025. These statistics reflect intensified operations against Naxals, ensuring increased safety for civilians in affected areas.