Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh – May 21, 2025 – In a significant breakthrough in the fight against left-wing extremism, security forces eliminated Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, BR Dada, or Gaganna, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), during an encounter in the dense forests of Abujhmad, Narayanpur district, at approximately 6:30 PM on 21st May.
With Tuesday’s encounter, the number of Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh this year has touched 200, including 183 in the Bastar region. Last year, 219 Maoists were killed, including 217 in Bastar.
The operation, launched on May 19, 2025, was based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of senior Maoist leaders in the Abujhmad region, which spans Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts. Joint teams from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon executed a meticulously planned operation. On the morning of May 21, Maoist insurgents initiated indiscriminate firing on the security forces, prompting a decisive and strategic counterattack. The operation resulted in the neutralization of 27 Maoists, including Keshav Rao, a pivotal figure in the Maoist hierarchy. A joint DRG team of Chhattisgarh police from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Kondagaon launched this decisive operation.
- Name: Nambala Keshav Rao
- Aliases: Basavaraju, BR Dada, Gaganna
- Age: Approximately 70 years
- Residence: Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh
- Position: General Secretary, CPI (Maoist); Chief of Central Military Commission; Polit Bureau and Central Committee Member
The encounter yielded significant outcomes:
- 27 Maoists Neutralized: Including several senior leaders.
- Weapons Seized: A substantial cache of arms, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, carbines, and ammunition, was recovered.
- Security Forces’ Sacrifice: One DRG jawan was martyred, with their body being transported to Narayanpur. Several other jawans sustained injuries but have received prompt medical treatment and are reported to be stable.
Intensive search operations continue in the Abujhmad forests to locate any injured or fleeing Maoists. This operation marks a turning point in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing battle against Maoist insurgency. The Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating Maoist violence, ensuring peace and stability in the region.
This decisive action underscores the resolve and coordination of security forces in tackling left-wing extremism, delivering a major blow to the CPI (Maoist) leadership and infrastructure.