‘Some Maoists fleeing, some planning to fight’: Massive security operation in Bijapur enters 7th day
Jawans find large cave ‘used as Maoist hideout’, large covered hole used to store material
Written by Jayprakash S Naidu
Raipur | Updated: April 28, 2025 12:06 PM IST
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Three Maoists have been gunned down and three jawans have been injured so far in the week-long operation, though security personnel say the number of Maoists killed could be higher.
On the seventh day of the massive anti-Maoist operation around the Karregutta hills in Bijapur on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, a senior police officer said some of the rebels are in hiding while some have fled and some others are planning to fight on.
“A few Naxals are hiding, a few are roaming, a few are fleeing and a few are planning to fight. Our troops are not heading back. They are holding the area and will continue the operations,” the officer, who is monitoring the operation, said on the condition of anonymity.
Security personnel have also found a large natural cave that they suspect was used as a hideout by Maoists. They also found a large hole that was dug up and covered with bamboo, plastic sheets, soil and grass, where the Maoists hid a big amount of materials, sources said.
“The recoveries from these sites are being documented and seized. At the end of the search operation, the details will be disclosed,” an official said.
During the operation on Sunday, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan suffered a minor injury when an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to be planted by Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), exploded.
The PLGA is the armed wing of the Maoists, and the PLGA Battalion 1 is believed to be its most dangerous unit. In the operation, security forces are tactfully scaling the Karregutta hills, where key members of the Maoist leadership are believed to be holed up, being safeguarded by the PLGA Battalion 1.
Three Maoists have been gunned down and three jawans have been injured so far in the week-long operation, though security personnel say the number of Maoists killed could be higher.
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“Today, one jawan from Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) , an elite force of the CRPF, sustained a minor injury due to an IED blast impact. But he is quite okay and recovering well,” an officer said. Earlier, a Special Task Force (STF) jawan and a District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan had suffered injuries during the operation.
The operations began on April 21, with around 7,000 security personnel from central and state forces surrounding the Karregutta hills.
Officials said the Maoists have been squeezed onto the hills due to the incessant security operations that began last year, with forces making several police camps and clearing the security vacuum in the Bastar region.
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.
Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:
Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.
Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:
Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.
Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:
Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.
Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
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