New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough for security forces fighting against Maoists, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has established another key security base in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmad region, once considered an impregnable stronghold of ultras.
The development marks the completion of a year-long strategic expansion of forces in heavily forested Maad region, sealing the last major interstate movement corridor used by the Maoists.
The Lanka Company Operating Base (COB) was overall the 9th security camp setup by the ITBP and Chhattisgarh police in the last three months, marking completion of the forces strategic expansion in key Maoist zone near Maharashtra border.
The camp is located at a distance of around 130 kilometers from Narayanpur and just 3km from Maharashtra border. Its establishment in the deep forested zone considered vital for disrupting the Maoist’s earlier supply route connecting Bijapur in Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
The COB is jointly manned by the personnel from the 44th battalion of ITBP, District Reserve Guards (DRG) and Chhattisgarh police.
Security forces augmented their presence in core Naxal zone of Abujhmad by securing the Narayanpur-Nelangun axis in early 2025. This was followed by security forces gaining control of Mohandi, Kodliyar and Padamkot which eventually brought Kutul, often called the Maoist’s capital in Abujhmad under their effective control.
Furthermore, forward bases at Edjum, Jatloor and Padmeta played a key role in extending the forces domination into the core Naxal belt.
The expansion campaign gained significant momentum after the neutralisation of Maoist’s general secretary Nambala Kesav Rao alias Basvaraju in an encounter near one of the frontline camps in May 2025.
The establishment of the Lanka COB has now secured the Orcha-Lanka axis, paving way for long stalled development projects including the key Bedre bridge, a critical project on Indravati river which has been delayed for years due to security concerns.
The establishment of security camps in these previously inaccessible areas is also expected to play a pivotal role in providing basic amenities to the residents which are long deprived of facilities such as health, education, electricity and other essential services.
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