Two Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter, hunt intensifies for notorious leader Papa Rao

In a high-stakes operation in the rugged forests of Bijapur district, north-western Chhattisgarh, at least two Maoist insurgents were killed on January 17 morning, during a fierce encounter with security forces. The clash erupted as a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and other units launched a targeted search based on critical intelligence about a Maoist hideout.

The intermittent gunfire echoed through the dense hills as forces pressed forward to apprehend Papa Rao—one of the last remaining top commanders of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). Rao, a key figure within the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and the South Bastar Zonal Bureau, remains elusive despite the ongoing operation. He is notorious for orchestrating violent attacks, including a deadly 2010 ambush that claimed 76 security personnel.

Security officials confirmed that the operation, initiated early Saturday, is ongoing with a heavy emphasis on troop safety due to the challenging terrain. Detailed information remains classified to protect personnel on the ground. Inspector General Sundarraj P of Bastar Range vowed that a comprehensive update will follow once the mission concludes.

This encounter marks another blow to Maoist ranks in Chhattisgarh, where over 500 insurgents have been eliminated in the last two years amid an aggressive crackdown. With Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism looming in March 2026, the state continues to make strategic advances. So far in 2026, 16 Maoists have been neutralized, signaling intensified pressure on the fading insurgency.

The search for Papa Rao is also a personal one—last November, his wife Urmila and key urban link Kanna were killed in a similar operation, underscoring the relentless pursuit of dismantling Maoist leadership. As the security forces tighten the noose, the fate of Chhattisgarh’s insurgency hangs in the balance.