Amit Shah felicitates Chhattisgarh police officers for historic success in anti-Naxal operation

RAIPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday met with Chhattisgarh’s senior police and intelligence officers who played a pivotal role in recent anti-Naxal operations in LWE affected regions.

Shah felicitated Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Vivekananda Sinha, additional DG (Anti-Naxal ops), P Sundarraj, Bastar range inspector general of police and three SPs.The meeting took place in New Delhi, where Shah personally congratulated the team on what is being hailed as one of the most significant counter-insurgency successes ever in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism. Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and deputy CM Vijay Sharma were present during the meeting.In a post on social media platform X, Shah wrote, “Met the officers who played a crucial role in the recent anti-Naxal operations and congratulated them on the historic success of these operations. I am eager to meet the brave jawans who made these operations successful with their courage and will soon visit Chhattisgarh to meet them. Modi government is committed to freeing India from the menace of Naxalism.”Shah’s remarks come in the wake of a major operation conducted from May 18-21 in Abujhmarh region — one of the most remote and challenging terrains in central India.

In a critical encounter on May 21, security forces gunned down 27 Maoists, including the CPI (Maoist) General Secretary and Polit Bureau member Basavaraju alias Gaganna. He was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders in the country. A substantial cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered.Security forces involved in the operation included District Reserve Guard (DRG) units from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Kondagaon, and Bijapur districts, working in coordination under the leadership of top police officials.During the felicitation event, Shah also honoured Prabhat Kumar, SP Narayanpur, Jitendra Yadav, Bijapurand Shalabh Sinha, SP Bastar, in presence of CM Sai, state home minister Sharma, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, and several senior officers from the Centre and state security apparatus.Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a message to Shah said, “It is due to your strong resolve and inspiring leadership that historic success is becoming possible in the fight against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh. This battle to end red terror is at a decisive turning point, and by March 2026, the complete eradication of Maoism from both the state and the nation is certain. Our officers and brave personnel of the security forces are engaged in the mission to make the country free of Naxalism with unmatched courage and valour.