‘Committed to eliminating Maoism’: PM Modi after top Maoist commander Basavaraju killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism in the country. His comments came after security forces neutralised 27 Maoists, including CPI-M general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement.

"Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Union Home Minister earlier announced that CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement, was among the 27 dreaded Maoists killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.

Shah also said this is for the first time in three decades of India's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by the security forces.

"A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement," he wrote on X.

He also lauded security forces and agencies for the major breakthrough.

"Also glad to share that after completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra," Shah said, adding that the Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before March 31, 2026.

Basavaraju was in his late 60s, officials said, as per PTI.

The encounter took place in dense forests of Abhujmad on the tri-junction of Narayanpur-Bijapur-Dantewada districts, they said.

The operation involving personnel of DRG from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon was launched two days ago based on intelligence inputs about the presence of central committee and politburo members of Maoists, as well as senior Maad division cadres and PLGA (Peoples' Liberation Guerilla Army) members.