Amit Shah reiterates end of Naxalism by mid-2026 as rebel death toll hits 81 this year

No Indian citizen will lose life after end of Naxalism by March 31, 2026, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that Naxals will be eliminated by March 31, 2026, and assured that no citizen of the country would lose their life because of it.

Shah made these comments after security forces killed 31 Naxals in Chhattisgarh.

"I also reiterate my resolve that before 31 March, 2026, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from the country so that no citizen of the country has to lose his life due to it," he wrote on 'X' in Hindi.

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Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 9, 2025

The home minister said that the security forces have made significant progress in making India Naxal-free, with a major success in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.

He said that 31 Naxalites were killed during the operation, and a large quantity of arms and explosives were recovered.

Shah also honored the two brave soldiers who lost their lives in the fight to eradicate anti-human Naxalism, stating that the country would forever be indebted to these heroes.

Shah said the security forces have also lost two of its brave soldiers "in the effort to end anti-human Naxalism" and the country will always be indebted to these heroes.

"I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers," he said.

With this incident, 81 Naxalites have been gunned down by security forces in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Out of the 81 Naxalites gunned down in the state so far this year, 65 were killed in the Bastar division comprising seven districts, including Bijapur. Last year, 219 Naxalites were neutralised by security forces in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh, according to police.

On October 4 last year, 38 Naxalites were killed following an encounter in Abhujmaad area along the Narayanpur-Dantewada inter-district border in the Bastar region.

The latest gunfight took place at a forest in Indravati National Park area in the morning when a joint team of personnel from different security forces was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said.

"So far, bodies of 31 Naxalites clad in 'uniform' have been recovered from the encounter site. Besides, a huge cache of weapons, including AK-47, INSAS, SLR and .303 rifles and Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGL), and explosives have also been seized from the site," the official said. Two security personnel, one belonging to the state DRG and the other from the STF, were killed in the gunfight and two others suffered injuries, he said.

The two injured jawans, reported to be out of danger, were being airlifted to a better medical facility for treatment, he said.

Security forces have been continuously getting success in this direction and moving rapidly towards achieving the goal. The end of Naxalism, which is like "cancer", from the country and the state is certain, he said in a statement. "The sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain. I pray to God for the departed souls to rest in peace and provide strength to the bereaved families, and for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans," Sai said.

All the deceased Naxalites were clad in uniform and automated weapons were recovered from them, he told reporters. "Our two jawans were martyred in the operation. I pay homage to them and pray to God to give strength to their families. The Vishnu Deo Sai government will always stand by their families. Two injured jawans have been airlifted (to Raipur)," he said.

Asked about the deadline of March 2026 to end Naxalism, Sharma said, "Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Sai, the target will be achieved." "The IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) laid (by Naxalites) on the path of development of Bastar will be cleared and we are working with full commitment to ensure basic amenities like schools, hospitals, water, road, anganwadis (government-run women and child care centres) and mobile towers reach the entire region," he said.