Historic Victory in Abujhmad: Security Forces Gun Down 27 Maoists Including CPI (Maoist) Chief
Raipur, May 21, 2025: In a massive blow to Left-Wing Extremism, security forces in Chhattisgarh have achieved a historic success by eliminating 27 Maoists in a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Abujhmad, located in the border areas of Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts. Among the dead is Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the top military and ideological commander of the CPI (Maoist) and one of India’s most wanted Maoist leaders.
Basavaraju, who had a bounty of ₹5 crore across five states, was known as the mastermind of several deadly Maoist attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre, where 75 CRPF personnel were killed.
The Operation: Precision and Bravery
Based on concrete intelligence about the presence of top Maoist leaders, multiple District Reserve Guard (DRG) teams from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon launched a joint operation on May 19, 2025. The mission led to a fierce gun battle on May 21, when Maoists opened heavy fire on patrolling units.
In a strategically coordinated response, DRG personnel fought back with valor, killing 27 Maoists on the spot. During the search that followed, security forces recovered the bodies of the Maoists along with sophisticated weapons including AK-47s, INSAS rifles, SLRs, carbines, and a large cache of ammunition and explosives.
Who Was Basavaraju?
Basavaraju, approximately 75 years old, hailed from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, and held a degree in B.Tech. He abandoned home in 1970 to join the Maoist movement. In 1987, he reportedly received bomb-making and ambush training from LTTE operatives.
Known by aliases such as Gaganna, B.R. Dada, and Prakash, he was appointed as the head of the Maoist organization in 2018. He commanded operations across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and neighboring areas. He was an expert in guerrilla warfare and linked to numerous attacks on security forces, extortion from mining companies, and destruction of public infrastructure.
He was also allegedly involved in an assassination attempt on former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.
Casualties and Aftermath
While the operation marks a major victory, it came at a cost. One DRG jawan was martyred, and a few others were injured. The injured personnel were promptly evacuated and are now stable. The mortal remains of the martyred jawan were brought to Narayanpur with full honors.
The Role of DRG
The District Reserve Guard (DRG) is a specialized anti-Naxal force comprising local youth familiar with the tough terrains of Maoist-affected zones. They carry out high-risk intelligence-based raids, ambushes, and jungle operations in core Maoist strongholds. This operation underscores DRG’s growing capabilities in taking the fight deep into Maoist territories and dealing decisive blows.
