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2 min readGadchiroliUpdated: Feb 6, 2026 11:23 AM IST
Picture from Gadchiroli, where ongoing anti-Naxal operation along the Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh border claimed life of a Jawan and two Maoists were killed. (Express Photo)
Three Maoists were killed in the ongoing anti-Naxal operation on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Gadchiroli, the police said on Friday, adding that a C-60 jawan who was injured on Thursday succumbed to his injuries.
While the body of a male Maoist, along with an AK-47 rifle and an SLR, was retrieved from the area on Thursday, the bodies of a male and a female Maoist were recovered on Friday morning. Their identities are yet to be established.
The injured jawan, Deepak Chinna Madavi, 38, a resident of Aheri, was airlifted from inside the forest in Abujhmad early Friday morning and taken to the nearest sub-district hospital in Bhamragad, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Martyred Police constable Deepak Chinna Madavi
Another jawan, Joga Madavi, a resident of Kishtyapalli, suffered bullet injuries on Thursday night. He was evacuated and airlifted to Bhamragad, where he is said to be out of danger. He will be shifted to Gadchiroli shortly, sources said.
Talking to The Indian Express on Thursday, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal had said, “Operation is ongoing deep into Abujhmad on Narayanpur border for the past three days for the last remaining cadres. Search operations will continue in the area.”
The Gadchiroli police launched the anti-Maoist operation on the night of February 3, following intelligence inputs about the presence of cadres of Coy No 10 and an unidentified Maoist formation from Chhattisgarh. The operation began along the Narayanpur-Gadchiroli district border, a few kilometres from Phodewada village, and involved 14 C-60 units led by the sub-divisional police officer of Bhamragad.
On Tuesday, security forces and Maoists exchanged fire for some time during the day. During search operations, two Maoist camps were busted, and a large quantity of Naxal-related material was seized. However, the police said that Maoists managed to evade capture due to the hostile terrain and dense forest cover in the area.
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On Wednesday morning, the cordon was strengthened with the induction of four additional C-60 units and one Quick Action Team of the Central Reserve Police Force.
Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: [email protected] ... Read More
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