In a major success for anti-Naxal operations, several high-ranking Maoist leaders were reportedly killed in a fierce encounter on the Telangana–Chhattisgarh border. The gunfight occurred in the Lankapalli forest area of Usur block in Bijapur district, as part of the ongoing Operation Karreguttalu—a focused offensive to root out Maoist presence in the region. Among those believed to be killed are Central Committee member Chandranna and South Zonal Committee leader Bandi Prakash, along with six other Maoist cadres. However, official confirmation from security agencies is still awaited.
The encounter began when security forces, during a routine combing operation, confronted a group of armed Maoists on Thursday morning. The exchange of fire intensified rapidly, resulting in multiple casualties on the Maoist side. Chandranna, a key strategist and one of the top Maoist leaders in Telangana, is said to have been operating from Karreguttalu’s cave networks, alongside Telangana State Secretary Damodar. His reported death is seen as a major blow to the group’s influence in the region. Meanwhile, search operations are ongoing to trace other members and recover weapons.
Civil rights groups have raised questions and sought further details about the encounter, while security agencies are assessing the full extent of the operation’s impact. It is yet to be clarified whether the operation was jointly conducted with Telangana police or handled exclusively by central forces. Regardless, the development marks a crucial milestone in the effort to dismantle Maoist leadership in the volatile border regions.
