Top Maoist leader Basavaraju among 27 Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

Hyderabad: In one of the most significant counter-insurgency operations in recent years, security forces gunned down at least 27 Maoists—including Namballa Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, the top leader of the CPI (Maoist)—in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Wednesday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the death of Basavaraju, hailing the operation as a ‘landmark achievement’ in India’s ongoing fight against Naxalism. Taking to the social media platform X, Shah praised the forces for their successful operation in the Narayanpur district.

Mission to eradicate Naxalism

“This is the first time a General Secretary-ranked Maoist leader has been neutralised. Basavaraju was not only the topmost leader of the CPI (Maoist), but also its military strategist and ideological backbone,” Shah said.

He reaffirmed the Central government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026, and lauded the security agencies for their role in this breakthrough.

Who is Basavaraju?

Basavaraju, 67, hailed from Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh and rose through the ranks to become general secretary of the banned outfit in 2017, following the resignation of long-time leader Muppala Laxmana Rao alias Ganapathi.