Bhubaneswar: In a significant breakthrough against Maoism, a joint operation by the Odisha Police, Chhattisgarh Police, and CRPF has led to the elimination of 14 Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest area near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. The operation commenced on January 19 and concluded with an early morning exchange of fire (EOF) on January 21, 2025.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi extended his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his unwavering support in the ongoing mission to eradicate Maoism from India. According to a press release from Odisha Police headquarters, intelligence received on January 19 indicated that a large group of Maoists was hiding in the Kularighat reserve forest in Chhattisgarh, approximately 5 km from the border of Odisha’s Nuapada district.
Acting on this information, security forces initiated an inter-state joint operation in the border areas of Nuapada and Chhattisgarh’s Gariabandh district that same night.
On January 20, two Maoist cadres, both women, were neutralised during the operation. Security forces recovered a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and IEDs, including one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), from the site.
In the ongoing operation, a further 12 Maoists were killed in a fierce gunfight with the Special Operations Group (SOG) in the early hours of January 21. Security forces have seized a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition, and the number of casualties may rise as a large-scale search operation continues in the area.
In 2024, six Maoists were neutralised, eight were arrested, and 24 surrendered in Odisha. This year, 14 Maoists have already been eliminated in joint operations with Chhattisgarh Police and CAPF.
Odisha CM Thanks Union Home Minister for support in Maoist-Free India mission. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his steadfast support in the ongoing mission to eradicate Maoism from India.
Heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji for his unwavering support in our mission to make Bharat Naxal-free. Odisha remains committed to contributing towards this vision of peace, security, and progress for our nation. https://t.co/Yt8tUKjOTo
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) January 21, 2025
In response to the Home Minister’s announcement of a significant success against Maoists, the Odisha CM shared a message on social media, stating, “Heartfelt thanks to Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji for his unwavering support in our mission to make Bharat Maoist-free. Odisha remains committed to contributing towards this vision of peace, security, and progress for our nation.”
Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 21, 2025
Earlier, Amit Shah had announced the neutralisation of 14 Maoists in a joint operation by the CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Lauding the efforts of the security forces, Shah described it as a “mighty blow to Maoism” and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to build a Maoist-free India. This collaboration underscores the combined efforts of the Centre and states in ensuring national security and fostering development in affected regions.
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