Raipur: Once known as de-facto headquarters of Maoists, the Karregutalu or Karegutta hills will soon be developed as a centre of security and training.
As per reports, the Union Home Ministry has already given in-principle approval to establish a jungle warfare training centre/college at Karregutta along the Bijapur-Telangana border.
The proposed centre will come up on around 700 acres of land and will facilitate training related to jungle warfare, modern weaponry and counter-terrorism operations to personnel of Central Reserve Police Force [CRPF] and special units of state police.
Once completed, the jungle warfare training centre at Karegutta will be second such facility in the state after Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College [CTJWC], Kanker, an institution which was established in 2004.
The construction of the proposed training facility will be carried out by the Union Government with state government providing all other basic facilities.
The establishment of the warfare training centre at the rugged hills is expected to give a decisive edge to the security apparatus, grappling with the Maoist’s challenge in the region till successful execution of the operation ‘Black Forest’ in April-May this year.
Operation ‘Black Forest’
Security forces launched a massive offensive against the Maoists after receiving intel related to several top Maoist leaders forming a unified command at Karregutta Hills, an impregnable stronghold of Maoists for years.
Several top leaders of the outlawed group were taking refuge at the hills after intensified campaign of forces in Abujhmad and other Maoist strongholds in Bastar.
The Karregutta Hills before the commencement of the campaign was said to be the de-facto base of the unified command for the past few years, where around 300-350 armed Maoists and technical units were stationed.
The extremely tough geographical terrain of the Karregutta Hills, stretching around 60km in length with its breadth varying from 5 to 20 km had made it difficult for the forces to navigate, providing a naturally fortified shield to the extremists.
The extreme weather conditions at Karregutta hills with day time temperature exceeding over 45 degrees also posed severe difficulties to the personnel involved.
The forces however chalked out a comprehensive plan on the basis of intel and a joint operation involving thousands of personnel was launched on April 21.
Equipment, and other logistics were also mobilised in a calibrated and measured manner for smooth continuation of the operation with real time intelligence.
The three-week long operation which was said to be the largest ever offensive launched against Maoists resulted in neutralization of 31 hardcore armed cadres who were carrying a collective reward of Rs 1.72 cr.
The offensive further led to recovery of 450 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), over 800 Brigade Grenade Launchers (BGL) shells along explosive material in huge quantity.
In addition, nearly 12,000 kilograms of food supplies were also recovered during the campaign which further led to complete eradication of at least four technical units associated with the production of BGL shells, homemade weapons and IEDs.
More than 210 Maoist hideouts (cave like bunkers) were also successfully located and destroyed during the campaign. These hideouts were being used as weapon manufacturing units by the Maoist’s technical department. A total of 18 security personnel had sustained injuries in various IED explosions triggered by the Maoists during the operation.
Union Home Minister felicitated jawans involved in Operation Black Forest
Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met and felicitated the personnel of CRPF, Chhattisgarh Police, DRG and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action [CoBRA] who had participated in Operation Black Forest.
Praising the valour of security personnel, Shah said that despite the heat, altitude and the danger of IEDs at every step, the security forces made the operation successful with high spirits and destroyed the base camp of the Naxalites.
The Home Minister underscored that Naxalites have caused great damage to the least developed areas of the country, shutting down schools, hospitals and not allowing government schemes to reach the people. He added that due to anti-Naxal operations, there has been a new sunrise in the lives of 6.5 crore people in the area from Pashupatinath to Tirupati.
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