Ten Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The fight happened in the southern area of the district, where the District Reserve Guards (DRGs) were carrying out an operation against the Maoists.

Bastar Inspector-General of Police P. Sundarraj confirmed that the fight began in the morning and quickly became very intense, with gunfire continuing for hours. He said that several weapons, such as INSAS rifles, AK-47s, SLRs, and other automatic guns, were found with the Maoists. A search is still happening in the area.

The gunfight started in a forest area near the Bhejji police station, where security forces were conducting an operation against the Maoists. Police officials said the shooting was happening at intervals, and according to early reports, several Maoists were killed during the fight.

Efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism in India

This incident happens at a time when the government is working to stop left-wing extremism in the country. In August, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that India plans to end Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026. Since January 2024, security forces have killed 257 Naxalites, arrested 861 people, and seen 789 Maoists surrender.

The number of deaths from Maoist violence, which was 1,005 in 2010, has dropped by 90%, with only 96 deaths reported by September 2024. The government has also killed the top 14 Maoist leaders and increased security by setting up 279 new camps since 2019.

Chhattisgarh’s continued fight against Maoists

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to talk about how things are going in the fight against Maoist activities in the state. The two leaders discussed the progress in areas affected by Naxals and the efforts being made to bring back peace.

CM Sai said that nearly 200 Maoists had been killed in the last 11 months, and about 600-700 Maoists had surrendered. He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh, with the support of security forces, is getting closer to the goal of making India free of Naxals by March 2026. "We are fast moving towards the Prime Minister's and Home Minister's aim of making India a Naxal-free country by March 2026," CM Sai said.