Intensive operations to counter insurgency in the Karregutta hills of the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border have been put on hold within 20 days, after it began operations on April 21. The massive counter-insurgency operation involved 28,000 personnel assisted by the IAF. The operation was targeted at capturing topmost Maoist leadership in the Karregutta hills, a region guarded by the most dreaded armed wing of the insurgents, Battalion One, of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). The same wing was involved in the major attack on security personnel in the Sukma and Bijapur areas. Three persons of the elite Greyhound forces specialised in anti-Maoist operations and at least six personnel from the CRPF district reserve guard in the special task force suffered injuries because of the landline blast during the course of the operation.

Reason For Halt Unclear

The operation also involved Central and State police forces camping and marching inside 700 m thickly forested hills, rigged with IEDs (landmines). At least 20 drones were deployed for the operation.

There has been no official word on the reason behind the calling off of the 20-day-long anti-insurgency operation in the Maoist area. The police personnel are scheduled to address the media over the matter on Tuesday. The operation was considered a major step towards the March 2026 deadline set by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to end violence in the red corridor area of India.

The death of four Maoists was also confirmed during the operation, and around 2 tonnes of explosive material with 400 IEDs and 40 weapons were recovered by the officials during the operation. However, the official says 129 Maoists have been gunned down in Bastar this year, while 146 maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh.