India’s security forces are intensifying their crackdown on Naxalism with the March 2026 deadline fast approaching. Around 300 Naxalites, including four top commanders from the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), are now squarely in the crosshairs of ongoing operations.
The elite targets include Misir Besra alias Bhaskar, Devji alias Kumbha Dada alias Chetan, Ramanna alias Ganapati alias Laxman Rao, and Malla Raja Reddy alias Sagar—all key members of the group’s central committee. These leaders have long evaded capture, but intelligence suggests most are active in high-risk zones along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
A major operation kicked off on Tuesday after tips pinpointed Devji and his associate Kesa Sodhi in the area. Officials confirm that barring Reddy, believed to be hiding in Odisha, the others are operating nearby. This surge in activity underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicate Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
Security agencies have issued a stark ultimatum: surrender or face elimination. With intensified combing operations, the forces aim to neutralize these threats before the deadline. The Home Ministry’s recent assessment shows progress—Naxal-affected districts have shrunk dramatically.
Once sprawling across 18 districts, LWE influence now lingers in just 11, with Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur as the epicenters. The Modi government vows to wipe out the menace entirely by March 31, 2026, marking a pivotal shift in India’s internal security landscape.
Years of sustained efforts, including development initiatives and surgical strikes, have weakened the Maoists’ grip. Casualties among insurgents have mounted, forcing many to surrender. As operations ramp up, the endgame for Naxalism appears closer than ever, promising a safer future for affected regions.