In a significant victory for security forces, seven hardcore Maoists, including top leaders, were neutralized in a intense operation in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. The joint effort by Gadchiroli Police and CRPF unfolded over three grueling days in the dense forests along the Gadchiroli-Narayanpur border.
The operation kicked off on February 3 following precise intelligence about a major destructive plot by the Maoists. Under the leadership of Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amar Mohite, 14 teams from the elite C-60 commando unit were deployed into the challenging terrain that night. The following day, as search operations intensified, heavily armed Maoists ambushed the forces, triggering a fierce firefight.
Security personnel responded with remarkable courage, dismantling two Maoist camps amid the thick foliage and rugged hills. Reinforcements, including additional C-60 teams and a CRPF Quick Action Team, bolstered the mission on February 5. By the end, three Maoists were confirmed killed that day, with an AK-47 and SLR recovered. Another encounter on February 6 accounted for four more, bringing the total to seven.
Among the slain was Prabhakar, alias Ravi, a 57-year-old senior figure heading the Gadchiroli Divisional Committee and Western Sub-Zonal Bureau. A Telangana native with 113 serious crimes to his name, he carried a Rs 25 lakh bounty. Others included Pagu Modam, Anila alias Budri Kovachi, Kamesh Pada, Bhajanath alias Bhima Holi, Mangli Kursam, and Jogi Sodhi-Madavi. The group boasted a combined reward of Rs 71 lakh from the Maharashtra government.
The haul was impressive: three AK-47s, one SLR, one .303 rifle, 173 live rounds, three BGLs, seven magazines, cortex wire bundles, gelatin sticks, Maoist literature, and daily supplies. Tragically, C-60 jawan Deepak Chinna Madavi laid down his life, while Joga Madavi sustained injuries but is stable.
Deepak was honored with full state honors at Gadchiroli Police HQ on February 6. The operation, guided by senior officials including ADG (Special Ops) Dr. Chering Dorje and SP Neelotpal, underscores a relentless push against left-wing extremism. Since 2021, Gadchiroli Police has eliminated 99 Maoists, arrested 140, and secured surrenders from 153 others, signaling a turning tide in the region’s battle.