14 Maoists killed in twin encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur

Security forces killed 14 Maoists in two coordinated encounters in south Chhattisgarh on Saturday morning, signalling an aggressive start to counter-insurgency operations in 2026. The encounters took place in Sukma district and the neighbouring Bijapur district, officials confirmed.

This was the first armed confrontation of the year between Maoists and security forces in the state.

What happened on the ground

According to police officials, 12 Maoists were neutralised in southern Sukma, while two were killed in Bijapur, where the exchange of fire began around 5 am.

The operations were conducted by teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialised anti-Maoist unit drawn largely from local personnel familiar with forest terrain.

Senior Maoist leader killed in Sukma

Among those killed in Sukma was Mangdu, identified as the secretary of the Konta area committee, a key organisational unit of the Maoist movement in the region.

Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chawan said that with this operation, all armed Maoists operating under the Konta area committee have been eliminated, dealing a major operational setback to insurgent activity in the zone.

Part of a broader crackdown

The encounters come amid intensified anti-Maoist operations ahead of the March 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Maoism from the country.

Officials said the timing is significant as it coincides with planned surrenders of senior Maoist leaders, including Barsa Deva alias Barsa Sukka, a top commander of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army Battalion 1, who is scheduled to surrender before Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy.

Rising toll since 2024

Security data indicates that more than 500 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh since 2024, reflecting a sustained push by security forces across the Bastar region, which includes Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada and Narayanpur.

Officials say improved intelligence, expansion of security camps and increased surrenders have weakened Maoist operational capacity in several core areas.