‘Naxal-mukt Bharat’: How 2025 shaped India’s most definitive fight against Naxalism

MHA says only Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur districts in Chhattisgarh are now most affected by left wing extremism.

There has been a surge in the operations being carried out by security forces after Union Home Minister Amit Shah set a deadline of March 2026 to eradicate Naxalism from the country.

Addressing the closing ceremony of Bastar Olympic 2025 sport event at Indira Priyadarshini Stadium in Jagdalpur, Union Minister Amit Shah said, “"I came here to participate in Bastar Olympic 2024, again in 2025, and I promise I will come in 2026 as well. When I arrive for the Bastar Olympic in 2026, Naxalism will have been wiped out from Chhattisgarh and the entire country.”

According to the government data, since 2014, the coordinated efforts of security forces and development initiatives have led to a significant fall in Naxal-related violence.

Between 2004–2014 and 2014–2024, violent incidents dropped from 16,463 to 7,744, deaths of security personnel fell from 1,851 to 509, and civilian deaths declined from 4,766 to 1,495, a remarkable sign of restored peace and governance in affected regions, stated the government data.

In 2025 alone, security forces neutralised 270 Naxals, arrested 680, and facilitated 1,225 surrenders. Major operations such as Operation Black Forest and mass surrenders in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra were witnessed.

The Union Home Ministry said only Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur districts in Chhattisgarh are now most affected by left wing extremism (LWE). Earlier, in March 2025, Kerala (Wayanad & Kannur) and West Bengal (Jhargram) were also delisted.

Chhattisgarh

Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Thursday.

On April 21, around 10,000 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Chhattisgarh Police launched a large-scale joint operation against Naxals, named ‘Operation Black Forest’. This operation, which ended on May 11, was said to be one of the most comprehensive anti-Naxal campaigns. According to ANI, the 21-day long operation neutralised 31 Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 1.72 crore.

In 2025, , 284 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh, including 255 in the Bastar region. Last year, 219 Maoists were killed in the state, including 217 in the Bastar region.

Andhra Pradesh

Maoist Madvi Hidma, responsible for leading at least 26 armed attacks against security forces and civilians, was gunned down in an encounter at Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharamaraju district last month.

Hidma was known for his role in several major attacks. These include the 2010 attack in Dantewada that claimed the lives of 76 CRPF personnel and the 2013 ambush in Jhiram Ghati that left 27 people, including top Congress leaders, dead. He also played a key role in the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur ambush in which 22 security personnel were killed.

According to reports, approximately 16–20 cadres killed in major documented encounters this year.

Madhya Pradesh

Following the surrender of two Naxalites, Deepak and Rohit, in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav termed the "elimination" of Naxalism from the state as the biggest achievement of his two-year tenure.

On December 10, Maoists from the Kanha-Bhoramdeo division, including one of the most-wanted commanders, Surendar alias Kabir, who carried a Rs 77-lakh bounty, surrendered before security forces in Balaghat.

With this surrender, security forces claimed that all top Maoist leaders operating in the Balaghat-Mandla zone laid down arms.

In 2025, the state recorded its highest ever annual toll of Naxal casualties, with 10 armed Naxalities in various encounters.

Maharashtra

Senior CPI (Maoist) Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, surrendered along with 60 Maoist cadres at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters in Maharashtra, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The surrender is being seen as a significant step toward peace efforts and de-escalation of violence in Maoist-affected regions.

Rao, considered one of the top leaders of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), expressed his readiness for formal peace talks with the government. He requested a one-month ceasefire window to consult with party cadres across multiple states and jails.

Intelligence agencies suspected his strategic involvement in the April 2010 Dantewada massacre, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed.

In Maharashtra 61, including 10 senior Naxals, surrendered this year.

Centre’s initiatives

The government has taken several specific initiatives in LWE-affected states, with focus on expansion of road network, improved telecommunication connectivity, skilling and financial inclusion. Here are some key initiatives.

Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: The Centre reimburses security related expenditure for LWE-affected districts and districts earmarked for monitoring.

Special Central Assistance (SCA) for most LWE affected districts: The scheme aims to fill the critical gaps in public infrastructure and services in most LWE affected districts.

Scheme of fortified police stations: Under the scheme, 400 Fortified Police Stations have been constructed in 10 LWE-affected states.

Assistance to Central Agencies for LWE management Scheme: Aid is provided to central Agencies (CAPFs/IAF etc) for strengthening of infrastructure and hiring charges for Helicopters.

Financial Inclusion: For financial inclusion of the local populace in these areas, 1,007 bank branches and 937 ATMs in 30 Most LWE affected districts and 5,731 new post offices have been opened in LWE affected districts since April 2015.

Skill Development and Education: For Skill development 48 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 61 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) have been made functional.