20,000 + security personnel have ring‑fenced ≈ 1,100 armed cadres of the CPI‑Maoist in the Karregutta hill‑range of Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Five rebels confirmed dead, but intercepted radio chatter hints at 15‑plus casualties within the insurgent ranks.
Multi‑state task‑force launched the sweep 48 hours ago on pinpoint intel that Hidma (Maoists’ “shadow general”) and Battalion‑1 chief Deva were co‑located. Objective aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s vow: “Maoist‑free India by 31 March 2026.”
Why This Moment Matters
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Leadership Decapitation Chance – Capturing or eliminating Hidma could fracture the Maoists’ central military commission.
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Psychological Blow – A successful siege inside their flagship “liberated zone” would dent rebel morale nationwide.
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Development Gateway – Clearing Karregutta unlocks a missing link on the proposed NH‑63 alternate alignment, shrinking travel time between Jagdalpur and Hyderabad by 2 hours — critical for trade and emergency care.
Theatre of Action – Karregutta at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18.70° N, 80.22° E |
| Elevation Band | 450 m – 690 m above sea‑level |
| Vegetation | Mixed Sal‑Bamboo jungle, lantana underbrush |
| Tactical Obstacles | Seasonal nullahs, limestone escarpments, pre‑laid clay‑more mines |
| Civilian Footprint | < 300 tribal households within 5 km radius (already evacuated) |
Forces & Assets Deployed
| Unit | Headcount | Signature Capability | Recent Notable Op |
|---|---|---|---|
| CoBRA (CRPF) | 1,600 | Night‑vision jungle ambushes | 8‑Naxal neutralisation, Bokaro 2025 |
| DRG | 3,200 | Indigenous trackers, tribal scouts | Taper‑Ghota raid, Jan 2025 |
| Bastar Fighters | 2,050 | Rapid flank encirclements | Tondamarka sweep, Dec 2024 |
| STF | 1,200 | High‑risk assault entries | Minpa rescue, Feb 2025 |
| CRPF regular bns. | 6,000 | Area domination, logistics chain | Multiple |
| Choppers (ALH, Mi‑17) | 9 | CASEVAC, aerial recce, loud‑hailing | N/A |
| UAVs (Heron‑TP, Quadkites) | 14 | Real‑time thermal grids | Patrolling since Day‑1 |
Siege Timeline (Key T‑Stamps)
| D‑Day | Hour | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Apr 25 | 02:15 | UAV feed locates Hidma’s signal node at grid‑ref KG‑27. |
| 22 Apr 25 | 04:30 | Three‑pronged insertion by CoBRA platoons under pre‑dawn fog. |
| 22 Apr 25 | 14:00 | DRG elements snap ambush; recover first 3 Maoist bodies. |
| 23 Apr 25 | 06:45 | Rebels broadcast IED warning to locals via handheld FM set. |
| 23 Apr 25 | 21:10 | STF breaches bunker‑style ration dump; seize 2,000 kg rice. |
| 24 Apr 25 | 07:00 | Cordons compress; escape corridors cut to < 800 m width. |
Year‑to‑Date Insurgency Metrics (Jan ‑ Apr 2025)
| Indicator | Chhattisgarh | Jharkhand | Odisha | All C‑Zone | |—|—|—|—| | Rebel Casualties | 150 | 27 | 11 | 188 | | Arms Recovered | 124 | 34 | 19 | 177 | | IEDs Diffused | 312 | 98 | 41 | 451 | | Civilians Rescued | 68 | 29 | 7 | 104 |
Voices From the Ground
“We lost too many friends to landmines; if the hills are cleared, we can finally take our produce to the weekly bazaar without fear.”
— Mangi Kawasi, 27‑year‑old Mahua flower collector evacuated from Pamed hamlet.
“Every metre we take is mined, but morale is sky‑high — all units know the finish line is 2026.”
— Sub‑Inspector R. Nagesh, CoBRA Team‑Bravo (via satellite phone).
What to Watch Next
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IED Corridor Cleanup: Engineers estimate two weeks to fully sweep 12 sq km blast belt once firing subsides.
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Civil Action Plan 90‑Day Sprint: Mobile health camps, solar micro‑grids, and MNREGA road projects queued to follow security vacuum.
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Potential Rebel Spillover: Intelligence flags small splinter teams may flee toward South Bastar‑Sukma axis; border checkpoints beefed up.
FAQs
1. Who is Hidma and why is he crucial?
Madvi Hidma heads the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Main Division. He allegedly masterminded the 2021 Sukma ambush that killed 22 jawans; removing him could paralyse Maoist operational planning across central India.
2. How are drones changing anti‑Naxal warfare?
High‑end Heron‑TPs map night‑time heat signatures, while low‑cost quadkites buzz tree‑top high, relaying 4‑K video to ground tablets — drastically shrinking rebel invisibility advantage.
3. What support exists for surrendered rebels?
States run “Nayi Disha” rehab packages: ₹5 lakh fixed‑deposit, skill training, and safe‑house relocation. Over 310 cadres took the offer in 2024.
4. Are human‑rights safeguards in place?
Yes. Each engagement is recorded on helmet cams; district judges oversee post‑encounter magisterial probes; displaced villagers are compensated under the Chhattisgarh Relief Code 2020.
5. Could the insurgency simply move online?
Cyber‑radicalisation is rising; the MHA’s new Counter‑Maoist Social‑Media Cell scans Telegram and darknet forums to intercept recruitment narratives.
6. How will success be measured after 2026?
Beyond casualty counts, officials cite road density, school attendance, and panchayat voter turnout as key “peace indicators” for a truly post‑Maoist era.
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Pari is a passionate writer known for captivating stories that blend imagination and reality. Inspired by travel, history, and everyday moments, Pari crafts narratives that resonate deeply with readers.