Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, January 18, 2026: The security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district have reported the killing of two more Naxalites on Sunday, the second day of an ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the forested north-western region of the district. The toll in this particular operation has now risen to six Naxal cadres, following the deaths of four senior Maoists on Saturday, officials said.

According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav, the latest exchange of fire occurred in the early hours of Sunday as joint teams of security personnel continued their operations in the rugged, heavily forested terrain of Bijapur. The operation, which has involved the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the CoBRA unit of the CRPF, was launched after actionable intelligence indicated the presence of senior Maoist cadres in the area.

On Saturday, the security forces had neutralised four high-profile Naxal leaders. They were identified as Dilip Vedja, a divisional committee member; Madvi Kosa and Lakkhi Madkam, both area committee members; and Radha Metta, a party member. All four were active in the National Park Area Committee of the Maoists, authorities said. The identities of the two Maoists killed on Sunday are yet to be confirmed, Yadav added.

The operation has yielded a significant arms cache, including six firearms recovered from the encounter sites. The seized weapons include an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS rifle, a carbine, and a .303 rifle, which highlights the potential for armed confrontation that security personnel faced during the operation. Search operations are continuing in the region to ensure the area is cleared of remaining Maoist elements.

Chhattisgarh has seen a sharp increase in anti-Maoist operations this year. In separate encounters earlier this month, a total of 14 Maoists were killed on January 3 in the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts, including Bijapur. With the latest Bijapur operation, the total number of Maoists neutralised in separate encounters in the state in 2026 has reached at least 20, reflecting the aggressive stance of security forces in curbing Left-Wing Extremism.

Last year, the security apparatus in Chhattisgarh registered 285 Maoist fatalities in encounters with police and paramilitary forces, underscoring the continuing intensity of anti-Maoist operations in the state. The Central Government has set a target to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) from the country by March 31, 2026, placing Chhattisgarh, which has historically been a Maoist stronghold, at the centre of national security efforts.

The ongoing operations have relied on coordinated intelligence gathering, local informants, and technological surveillance, combined with ground-level combat by highly trained forces. The inclusion of CoBRA commandos, an elite CRPF unit specialised in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare, has been a key factor in enabling the security forces to target senior cadres effectively.

The continued elimination of senior Maoist leaders like Dilip Vedja and other committee members represents a significant strategic setback for the insurgent groups. Security analysts suggest that removing divisional and area committee members disrupts the organisational structure of Maoist cells and hampers their operational capabilities, at least temporarily. However, the dense forests and challenging terrain of Bastar and Bijapur districts continue to provide cover for remaining insurgents, necessitating sustained operations.

The Central and state governments have emphasised that anti-Maoist operations will continue until Left-Wing Extremism is completely neutralised in Chhattisgarh and other affected states. Officials have repeatedly highlighted the importance of community engagement, development projects, and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres alongside combative measures to address the root causes of insurgency.

Security forces have also urged local populations to cooperate with authorities in reporting suspicious movements and intelligence, while ensuring the protection of civilians in operational areas. With the march towards the March 31, 2026, deadline set by the Centre, Chhattisgarh is poised to remain a focal point in India’s broader LWE eradication strategy.

The recent encounters, including the six Maoists killed in Bijapur over the weekend, reinforce the continuing high-risk operations conducted by the STF, DRG, and CoBRA units. Recovery of high-powered weapons also highlights the potential threat posed by these groups to both civilians and security personnel, underscoring the urgency of sustained counter-insurgency efforts.

In conclusion, the death of six Maoists in Bijapur marks a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing anti-Naxalite operations, reflecting the state’s intensified approach towards combating Left-Wing Extremism. As security forces continue to scour the forests and neutralise insurgents, authorities maintain that these measures, coupled with development and governance initiatives, are critical to achieving the central government’s goal of eliminating LWE from India by the set deadline.