Raipur, India: Security forces have achieved remarkable success in previously impenetrable Maoist strongholds, including Bastar, Abujhmad, Sukma, Indravati, and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Aerial surveillance using high-tech drones flying at 15,000 feet combined with ground operations has led to significant breakthroughs.
As of this year, 135 suspected Maoists have been eliminated in encounters, with 119 of them in the Bastar division, according to sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In contrast, only 75 Maoists were neutralized in 2024, highlighting the intensified offensive.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a March 31, 2026 deadline for eradicating Maoist insurgency from India, further strengthening the crackdown.
Aerial surveillance: The same changer
Israeli-made drones, operating at high altitudes, are playing a pivotal role by capturing high-resolution images and videos even through fog and darkness. These drones transmit real-time intelligence to the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), allowing security forces to plan precise strikes against Maoist leaders.
Guided by NTRO’s intelligence, security forces are focusing on eliminating top leaders of the CPI(Maoist). A core team is closely monitoring their movements to strike at the right moment.
Targeting Maoist leadership
In January 2025, NTRO’s inputs led to a successful operation, resulting in the elimination of 14 Maoists, including Jairam Reddy (Chalapati), a central committee member with a ₹1 crore bounty.
Currently, security forces have their sights set on:
· Nambala Keshava Rao (Bashavraju), General Secretary of CPI(Maoist) – ₹1 crore bounty.
· Mallojula Venugopal Rao (Sonu), Thippiri Tirupathi (Devji), Madvi Hidma, Katakam Sudarshan – All politburo/central committee members with ₹1 crore bounties each.
· Nine other Maoists with ₹40 lakh bounties each, declared by the Chhattisgarh government.
Additionally, Mupalla Lakshman Rao (Ganapathy), the former general secretary, carries a record bounty of ₹3 crore due to his continued influence despite resigning in 2018.
Ground operations: Advancing into inaccessible terrain
With NTRO’s intelligence, security forces are penetrating deep into Maoist territories and establishing forward posts in the 3,900 sqkm Abujhmad forest. The operation is being conducted jointly by Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police, Special Police Officers (SPOs) – Comprising tribal youths and former Maoists, providing invaluable local knowledge.
How NTRO powers security operations
Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Intercepts and analyses communication signals (radio, satellite, phone calls).
Tracks movements of Maoist leaders and key operatives.
Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)
Uses satellite imagery, drones, and remote sensing to map enemy strongholds.
Provides real-time movement tracking for tactical operations.
Drone surveillance
Deploys advanced aerial drones for continuous surveillance.
Identifies Maoist camps and infiltration routes.
Electronic warfare
Jams enemy communication networks, disrupting coordination.
Neutralizes threats before escalation by cutting off Maoist communication.
AI & big data analytics
Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse vast intelligence data.
Predicts enemy movements, strategies, and hideouts.
With NTRO’s cutting-edge surveillance, security forces are breaking down the Maoist stronghold like never before. The combination of aerial intelligence, precision strikes, and ground operations has placed India on the path to fulfilling the March 2026 deadline of eradicating Naxalism once and for all.
