A major encounter broke out between central paramilitary forces and Maoists at Karregutta, a dense forest region near the border of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. The encounter took place on Saturday morning as part of an intensive search and clean-up operation led by central forces, which has been ongoing for the past few days.
In the fierce gun battle, around 38 Maoists are reported to have been killed, although official confirmation on the exact number is still awaited. Thousands of personnel from central paramilitary units have been deployed in the area to crack down on Maoist activity, with the operation considered one of the biggest in recent years.
The primary targets of the mission are top Maoist leaders Hidma and Deva, who are believed to be hiding in the region. Their capture or elimination is seen as a key step in dismantling the Maoist command structure in central India.
This aggressive offensive comes in line with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier assurance to eliminate the Maoist threat from the country by 2026. Meanwhile, in a contrasting move, Maoist groups have issued a call for peace talks and urged the government to stop the ongoing gunfight and bloodshed.
With tensions high and operations still underway, this encounter marks a significant chapter in India’s long-standing battle against Maoist insurgency.
