During the security forces combing operation in Bijapur district, teams discovered several hidden dumps containing weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials. Officials said security personnel also recovered more than ₹65 lakh in cash along with several firearms, including rifles and other weapons.

Police and paramilitary forces carried out the operation after receiving intelligence inputs about Maoist hideouts in the region. Security teams searched multiple locations in the Pamed area of south Bastar and found three separate dumps buried in the forest.

Authorities said the recovery will weaken Maoist activities in the region. Security teams safely destroyed the seized explosives and continued combing operations to trace more hidden arms in nearby forest areas.

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Notably, the Maoists belonged to the Kistaram area committee of the south Bastar division. According to Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, they surrendered under the State government’s Poona Margem initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and social reintegration. Importantly, the cadres approached security forces voluntarily and handed over their weapons without resistance.

Moreover, the surrendered Maoists told police that the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy played a crucial role in their decision. At the same time, they admitted that continuous security pressure limited their movement and disrupted their operations. Consequently, they chose to abandon violence and return to civilian life.

Among them, Sodhi Joga, an area committee member, carried a reward of ₹5 lakh. Meanwhile, the other three — Dabar Ganga alias Madkam Ganga, Sodhi Raje, and Madvi Budhari — carried rewards of ₹1 lakh each. Additionally, they surrendered one INSAS rifle, one Self Loading Rifle (SLR), one .303 rifle, one .315 rifle, and ammunition.

Furthermore, police teams from Sukma district and Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district coordinated closely to facilitate the surrender. Officials said newly established security camps in Kistaram and Golapalli, along with improved road connectivity, weakened Maoist networks significantly. As a result, insurgents now find it harder to operate freely in the region.

Four Maoists surrender in Sukma amid a broader trend across Chhattisgarh. So far this year, more than 200 Maoists have laid down arms. Similarly, in neighbouring Bijapur district, 52 Maoists surrendered on January 15 alone. Last year, over 1,500 Maoists joined the mainstream in the State.

Finally, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan urged remaining Maoist cadres to give up violence. He assured them of security, rehabilitation benefits, and a dignified future. Meanwhile, the Centre continues to pursue its goal of eliminating Maoism nationwide by March 31 this year.

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Security forces launched the operation early Sunday after receiving strong intelligence inputs. A District Reserve Guard team moved into the forests of Tumalpad, where they spotted a group of armed Maoists. The gun battle began soon after, and the team pushed the rebels back with heavy fire.

Sukma SP Kiran Chavan confirmed that Deva and two women cadres fell during the encounter. The force recovered a .303 rifle, a Barrel Grenade Launcher, ammunition, and several Maoist documents from the site. The recovered items show how deeply Deva operated in the Konta Area Committee.

Deva led several brutal attacks and created fear among villagers for years. His elimination boosts the morale of security forces, who continue to strike Maoist networks across the Bastar region.

With this encounter, the total Maoists neutralised in Chhattisgarh this year has reached 262.

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Kesava Rao died in Narayanpur district during heavy fighting with security forces in May. Twenty-six Maoists, including him, lost their lives. He carried a reward of ₹1.5 crore. Police later performed his cremation without handing over the body to his family, a move that sparked anger.

Tirupati, originally from Karimnagar, Telangana, began his journey with the Radical Students Union in 1983. After going underground, he worked his way up from cadre to commander. Over the years, he gained influence as a strategist, joining the Maoist central committee and the central military commission.

Known as Devuji in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha, Tirupati has been linked to major attacks. Police say he helped plan the 2003 Alipiri attack on Chandrababu Naidu and the 2010 Dantewada massacre that killed 74 CRPF personnel. The NIA has placed a ₹1 crore reward on him. His elevation signals an effort by Maoists to regroup despite mounting losses.

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