Security forces on Wednesday gunned down top Maoist leader Basava Raju, also identified as Nambala Keshava Rao, following an intense anti-Naxal operation that went on for over 50 hours, CNN-News18 reported citing officials.
Raju was reportedly involved in several major attacks on the forces and his killing could bring about a major setback in the Maoist movement.
At least 26 Naxals were killed during the encounter which took place in Chattisgarh's Narayanpur district, officials said. "The encounter took place in dense forests between Abhujmad and Indravati national park area when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) of police from four districts was out on anti-Naxal operation," said deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma.
Who was Basava Raju?
- Basava Raju was the key conspirator behind the Alipiri bomb attack targeting the then-Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on October 1, 2003. While Naidu survived the assassination attempt, he suffered injuries due to a series of landmine explosions launched by Naxalites. He suffered a fracture in his right hand and injuries to his left collarbone.
- He also played a key role in the Dantewada attack in 2010 that killed 76 CRPF personnel.
-Raju took over as the Supreme Commander of the Maoist party following the resignation of Maoist leader Ganapathi in 2018.
- Known for his mastery of guerrilla tactics, the slain commander played a central role in planning Naxal offensives and was an expert in the use of IEDs, according to the News18 report.
- Raju pursued engineering at Warangal REC and became inclined towards Naxalism during his MTech studies.
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