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Opinion Operation Kagar is a step towards wiping out Naxalism

Almost vanquished due to the relentless and determined efforts of the security forces, the Maoists have of late been sending feelers to the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government for peace talks

Based on intelligence inputs that about 400 Maoists, including top leaders, were camping in Karreguttalu, the operation was launched surrounding an area of 288 sq km.

M.P. Nathanael

May 21, 2025 06:33 PM IST First published on: May 21, 2025 at 06:19 PM IST

In the din of Operation Sindoor, the media perhaps missed another crucial operation – Operation Kagar. It was launched on April 21, around the Karreguttalu hill range straddling Telangana and Chhattisgarh, to neutralise the Maoists staying in the dense forests. Known by various names like Kagar, Sankalp, Black Forest and Karreguttalu, the operation deployed 10,000 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action or CoBRA, the District Reserve Guards of the Chhattisgarh Police, the Greyhounds of Telangana, and also police personnel.

Based on intelligence inputs that about 400 Maoists, including top leaders, were camping in Karreguttalu, the operation was launched covering an area of 288 sq km. The “biggest operation till date”, as stated by Home Minister Amit Shah, was monitored by top officials all the way. The CRPF Director General, G P Singh, even camped in the area till it was called off on May 11.

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Having suffered massive casualties since the beginning of the year, the Maoists have been on the run. Madvi Hidma, Deva Barse and Damodar, top leaders carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore each on their heads, were believed to be ensconced deep in the forests, dotted with as many as 216 caves that sheltered them and other Maoists. The former two hail from Puvarti village in Sukma and are responsible for the killing of multiple security personnel. A CRPF post near their village in Abujhmarh, once considered to be the bastion of the Maoists, had forced them to flee to the dense forests. With three security cordons around him, Hidma has been able to evade capture on quite a few occasions. While Hidma commanded the 1st Battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) till January this year – he is now a central committee member – Deva is the present commander of the PLGA.

Though the operation was launched to apprehend or eliminate the top leadership and the cadres in the forests, the advantage that the Maoists had was being positioned at vantage points atop the hills, which worked as a deterrent. The steep climb to the hill at a height of over 700 metres, with mines spread across the entire area, hampered the swift advance of the security forces. Despite utmost precautions, 18 personnel suffered serious injuries. In an attempt to rescue another commando who had stepped on a mine, Assistant Commandant Sagar Borade of the 204 CoBRA Battalion stepped on another mine, severely damaging his legs. He had to be airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, where his left leg was amputated.

In the 21-day-long operation, as many as 31 Maoists, including 15 women, were killed in 21 encounters. Of them, 28 were identified, with some of them carrying combined rewards of Rs 1.72 crore. Over 400 Improvised Explosive Devices were recovered while forces scoured the vast area. The extent of preparations made by the Maoists to remain confined to the forests can be gauged from the huge stock of rations that could have sustained them for several weeks, if not months. With the recovery of 818 under-barrel grenade launchers, 35 automatic, semi-automatic and INSAS rifles and a large quantity of cordtex wires, the Maoists have suffered a huge setback. The dominance of the security forces over the Karreguttalu hills has driven them from what, till recently, was considered their impenetrable bastion.

Though the top leaders Hidma, Deva and Damodar managed to escape along with the others, the redeeming factor is that the Maoists have been displaced and are in total disarray. While they lost 280 of their cadres last year, they have already lost 197 this year. Twenty security personnel were martyred and sixteen villagers were killed by Maoists on the pretext of being informers. In order to prevent the escapee Maoists from congregating elsewhere, pressure needs to be maintained by gearing up intelligence in states adjacent to Chhattisgarh and neutralising them. Well-coordinated operations conducted by the Maoist-affected states are bound to yield results.

Almost vanquished due to the relentless and determined efforts of the security forces, the Maoists have of late been sending feelers to the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government for peace talks. With no positive response forthcoming, they are now seeking the intervention of various organisations and activists. Amidst their desperate plea for a ceasefire, the Maoists ambushed and killed three commandos of the Greyhounds in the Nugur forests of Mulugu district in Telangana on May 8. Their intentions, therefore, appear dubious. As feared by the security forces, any ceasefire or peace talks will help them regroup, recruit and replenish their armoury.

In a press conference in Bijapur on May 14, the DG, CRPF, stated that Operation Kagar is the “beginning of the end” of Naxalism. Let the security forces take it to its logical end and wipe out Naxalism well before the March 2026 deadline set by Home Minister Amit Shah.

The writer was Inspector General of Police, CRPF