As of Wednesday, security forces have killed 26 Maoists in the ongoing operation at the Karregutta hills in Telangana, near the Chhattisgarh border. This is the largest operation against left-wing extremists this year. The operation, which began on April 21 in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, involves 20,000 troops and is led by the CRPF, with support from the Chhattisgarh Police. The operation has now been ongoing for 18 days.  A senior officer informed PTI, “A total of 26 Naxals, including four women, have been killed so far in this operation. A large quantity of explosives, weapon-making factories, and other logistical items belonging to the ultras have been seized.”

More than a dozen soldiers, including members of the CRPF’s CoBRA unit and Chhattisgarh Police forces such as DRG and STF, have been injured so far. This includes CoBRA Assistant Commandant Sagar Borade, who lost a leg in an IED explosion two days ago, and another commando from the 206th battalion of CoBRA, who was critically injured in a similar blast on Wednesday. 

The significance of the operation is highlighted by the fact that CRPF Director General G.P. Singh has been stationed in Chhattisgarh since April 19, regularly staying in Raipur and occasionally in Jagdalpur. He has visited the operational areas, including the Karregutta hills, thrice. Officials mentioned that the CRPF and state police chiefs meet twice daily at the police headquarters in Raipur to review progress, rotate troops, and ensure the replenishment of supplies like food, water, and ammunition. 

As per the officials, the Karregutta hills area had been “an untouched territory till now, and it was a testimony of the forces' strength that there have been no casualties on their side despite the heavily mined area, hot weather and harsh terrain”. A senior officer noted, “The coordination between the CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police is going great, and that is why the forces were able to capture the hill and hold the area till they neutralise or apprehend the last Maoist on the ground there.” So far, the joint forces have rescued and defused around 135 IEDs. Officials confirmed that a “final offensive” has been launched. 

This week, the CRPF brought in 20 additional companies, totalling around 2,000 personnel, to support the operation. Officials said the security forces are currently “holding the heavily mined hill areas, which have multiple bunker-like hideouts.”

A top officer overseeing the mission told PTI on Tuesday that some high-ranking Maoist leaders are believed to be hiding in the hilly region and expressed confidence that the operation would soon reach its outcome. To track PLGA battalion no. 1 commander Hidma and other senior figures like Deva, authorities have deployed around four helicopters, two drone units with 20 large and small UAVs each, and satellite images and maps from NTRO. Officials said the offensive began based on intelligence that Hidma was spotted near a bunker in the Karregutta Hills with an armed group.