In a major success for security forces, top CPI-Maoist leader Basavaraju was among 27 Naxals killed in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur. Home Minister Amit Shah calls it a landmark win in India’s anti-Naxal fight.
Chhattisgarh/Narayanpur, May 21, 2025: In a historic breakthrough in India’s decades-long battle against Naxalism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the death of Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, during a fierce encounter in the dense Abhujmad forests of Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh.
Basavaraju, widely regarded as the topmost Maoist leader and the ideological and strategic backbone of the Naxal movement, was among 27 Maoists neutralised by security forces in a massive coordinated operation.
“This is the first time in 30 years that a general secretary-ranked Maoist has been eliminated. It is a landmark achievement in our mission to eradicate Naxalism,” Shah wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Operation Black Forest: A Major Blow to Naxalism
The high-stakes operation, codenamed Operation Black Forest, was carried out by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) with personnel from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon districts. The action was initiated based on precise intelligence inputs regarding the presence of top Maoist leaders and PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) units in the region.
The encounter unfolded deep in the Abhujmad jungles, located at the tri-junction of Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada, one of the most remote and rebel-dominated terrains in the country.
Basavaraju, believed to be in his late 60s, was instrumental in shaping Maoist ideology, strategy, and coordination between various state units of the CPI-Maoist. His death marks a severe disruption in the insurgency’s leadership structure.
Operation Outcomes: Arrests and Surrenders
Sharing further details, Shah said:
“After the success of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 others have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.”
The Union Minister praised the bravery and commitment of the security forces and the intelligence agencies involved, saying their contribution has significantly advanced the government’s mission.
Government’s Target: End Naxalism by March 2026
Reaffirming the Centre’s determination, Amit Shah declared:
“The Modi government is fully committed to eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.”
With Basavaraju’s elimination, experts believe the CPI-Maoist outfit has suffered one of its most critical blows since its formation. The leadership vacuum is likely to demoralize cadres and weaken operational capabilities on the ground.
Who Was Basavaraju?
- Full Name: Nambala Keshav Rao
- Alias: Basavaraju
- Position: General Secretary, CPI-Maoist
- Age: Late 60s
- Background: Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Basavaraju rose through the ranks with his guerrilla warfare expertise, ideological training, and strategic leadership.
His death is being seen as comparable to the elimination of top terrorist figures, given his role in coordinating multiple attacks and steering Maoist ideology across India’s red corridor.
What Lies Ahead?
The government is expected to intensify its operations in Bastar, Telangana, and parts of Maharashtra as it pushes to completely dismantle the Maoist network in the next two years.
Security analysts say that while the threat is far from over, the neutralisation of such a high-ranking Maoist leader has created a turning point in India’s internal security narrative.