India's Decisive Push: Naxalism Nearing Its End

India stands at a critical juncture in its nearly six-decade-long internal conflict with Naxalite insurgency. A series of meticulously planned and executed operations—backed by enhanced intelligence, technology, and political resolve—has dramatically weakened the insurgent movement. With key leaders eliminated, cadre numbers dwindling, and insurgent infrastructure collapsing, New Delhi is inching closer to its stated goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Image via OpIndia Hindi | OpIndia

Leadership Shattered by Targeted Operations

The elimination of Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), marks an unprecedented blow to the insurgency. On May 21, 2025, security forces killed Basavaraju and 26 other cadres in the dense Abujhmarh forests of Chhattisgarh—representing the first time in three decades that a serving Maoist leader of such stature was neutralized. Basavaraju, aged 72 and a former engineer from Warangal, had led the Maoists since 2018, shaping their military and ideological trajectory.

Shortly thereafter, further operations in Bijapur claimed the lives of Sudhakar (with a ₹90 lakh bounty) and Telangana Committee member Bhaskar, both central committee members. These successive losses have decimated the upper echelons of the CPI(Maoist), crippling its command chain.

Operation Black Forest: Strategic Strike in the Hills

From April 21–May 11, coordinated security forces—including CRPF, STF, and DRG—conducted Operation Black Forest in the Karegutta Hills along Chhattisgarh-Telangana. The mission neutralized 31 Maoists, detained 22, and seized over 450 IEDs and two tonnes of explosives. Crucially, it destroyed the insurgents’ cave-based ammunition factories and shredded their unified command structure. The scale and success of this operation underpin recent gains in weakening Maoist influence.

Cadre Attrition and Land Encirclement

Security agencies report that approximately 209 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh alone within the first five months of 2025—nearly accounting for the entire previous year's fatalities. India-wide tallies since last year suggest over 400 insurgents have been neutralized. Tribal regions once controlled by Naxals have seen a striking reduction in insurgent presence, effectively shrinking the so-called “Red Corridor” to 18 districts across seven states.

Rehabilitation and Surrenders on the Rise

While lethal operations unfold, an equally significant non‑kinetic approach is underway. In Maharashtra, 12 senior cadres surrendered recently under incentivized programs—part of a trend that has seen over 700 surrenders from 2005 onward . Many have gone on to receive jobs through CSR initiatives. In Chhattisgarh and Telangana, 84 additional surrenders during Operation Black Forest testify to growing disillusionment within Naxal ranks.

Political Cohesion and Civil-Military Collaboration

Political and security leadership have framed these efforts as a unified assault—operational, developmental, and institutional. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai credited PM Modi and HM Amit Shah for enabling the dismantling of 425 Maoists, 1,388 surrenders, and 1,443 arrests in the past 18 months. In May, Home Minister Shah personally felicitated nearly a dozen senior officers for their roles in the Abujhmarh operation—underscoring accountability and morale.

Challenges Ahead: Rights, Grievances & Governance

Despite military success, human rights advocates caution against unverified encounter reports and collateral harm. Investigations, including by Alt News, suggest that some civilian fatalities may be misrepresented as insurgent casualties—emphasizing the need for transparent reviews. Moreover, specialists underline that the conflict’s roots—landlessness, tribal marginalization, and unaddressed mining grievances—cannot be cured by force alone.

Government plans include expanding health (Ayushman Bharat), housing, and rural connectivity—particularly in Bastar—to integrate communities into mainstream development and bolster long-term stability.

Conclusion: A Fragile but Real Prospect

India’s campaign against Naxal insurgency has entered its decisive phase. With leadership crippled, armed cadres halved, and territorial hold shrinking, the state is on course to declare victory by March 2026. But a legacy of right-wing extremism will only truly end when the plow replaces the gun—when systemic justice and development offer real hope to India's tribal and rural heartlands. Adherence to rule-of-law, credible rehabilitation, and inclusive governance remain indispensable for turning military gains into enduring peacetime normalcy.

(Sources: OpIndia, TOI, Economic Times)