Chattisgarh’s Biggest Encounter: Maoist Carrying ₹1 Crore Bounty Killed, “Major Success”-Amit Shah

Jayram alias Chalapathi was killed in the exchange of fire that took place in a forest along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.

January 21, 2025: New Delhi: A Maoist leader carrying a ₹1 crore bounty, Jayram alias Chalapathi, was among 14 killed in an intense encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district, officials reported. The firefight occurred late Monday night and extended into early Tuesday in a forest along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border.

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A joint operation involving the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA unit, and Odisha’s Special Operation Group (SOG) targeted Maoist insurgents following intelligence on their presence in the Kularighat reserve forest. The forest is just five kilometers from Odisha’s Nuapada district.

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Significant Recoveries

Security forces recovered a large cache of firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the site, including a self-loading rifle. Officials confirmed a massive search operation is ongoing in the region.

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Amit Shah Commends Forces

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has pledged to eradicate Maoism by March 2026, hailed the operation as a “mighty blow to Naxalism.”

“Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border,” Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He further added, “With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today.”

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Maoist Casualties in 2024

In 2024, security forces in Chhattisgarh killed more than 200 Maoists, with 217 of the fatalities recorded in the Bastar region. Over 800 Maoists were arrested, and 802 surrendered during the year.

Despite these successes, 18 security personnel lost their lives in Maoist-related violence in 2024. Civilian casualties were also reported, with 65 people falling victim to Maoist attacks.