12 Maoists killed , reported Chhattisgarh police

A minimum of 12 suspected Maoists died in a firefight with security personnel that began Monday within a tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district near the Odisha border.

This follows a day after two purported female left-wing militants from the Sonabeda-Dharambandha Committee were shot dead by the Gariaband District Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and Odisha’s Special Operation Group (SOG) specialized in anti-Naxal missions. A CoBRA soldier also sustained a slight injury during the encounter.

The coordinated operation began on January 19 after authorities obtained intel regarding the movement of Maoists from the Sonabeda-Dharambandha Committee. The clash began at 8 am on Monday in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, situated approximately 60 to 70 km from the Gariaband Headquarters and about 20 km from the Odisha border. The Odisha Police indicated that the Maoist fatalities could be higher and mentioned that security forces have confiscated substantial weapons and ammunition. “A large-scale search effort is currently being conducted by the police in the region, and the coordinated actions against Maoists will persist,” stated a senior officer from Odisha Police.

The most recent deaths raise the total number of Maoists killed in confrontations in Chhattisgarh to more than 36 this year. In the state, Maoists have also killed nine members of the security forces and a civilian driver. This marks the second encounter in the Gariaband district this year following the death of a Maoist in an encounter on January 3.

The Odisha Police reported that 15 “Maoists” have been eliminated so far in 2025 through collaborative interstate operations involving the security forces of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and the Central Armed Police Force.

While left-wing extremism activities have been restricted to a few pockets and incidents of violence have been minimised in Odisha, officials said Maoist activities in the Kandhamal-Boudh-Kalahandi-Nuapada axis are concerning because of the influx of Maoists from Chhattisgarh into Odisha. The Odisha Police said they are emphasising joint operations and sharing of intelligence inputs to end the Maoist menace.