Five Maoists were killed after security forces launched a major coordinated offensive named “Operation Black Forest-2” in the Karregutta forest zone along the border of Chhattisgarh and Telangana on Friday, according to official sources. The anti-Naxal operation was initiated following specific intelligence inputs about the movement and possible congregation of armed Maoist cadres in the dense forest region.
Security teams engaged suspected Maoist groups in an exchange of fire on the first day of the operation, resulting in the death of five Naxalites. Officials said the identities of those killed are yet to be confirmed. A cache of explosives and other materials was also recovered from the encounter site, indicating preparations for potential subversive activities.
Large-Scale Deployment and Area Domination
Authorities have deployed more than 2,000 personnel for the ongoing combing and area-domination exercise. The Karregutta forest belt, though limited in spread, is considered strategically sensitive due to its terrain and history of Maoist movement. Security forces have established a tight multi-layered perimeter around the zone to prevent escape routes.
Ground units are being supported with surveillance inputs, and aerial assistance, including helicopters, may be used if operationally required. Officials estimate that up to 150 Maoist operatives could be hiding within the forest pockets currently under search operations.
Follow-Up to Major 2025 Anti-Maoist Drive
The latest action follows a large offensive carried out in the same forest stretch between April 21 and May 11, 2025. That extended operation involved nearly 10,000 personnel drawn from multiple units, including the Central Reserve Police Force, District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force of Chhattisgarh, and Telangana Police.
During the 2025 drive, security forces neutralised 31 Maoists and recovered large quantities of arms, explosives and logistical supplies. Seizures included cash worth about ₹1.72 crore, hundreds of landmines, detonators, gelatin sticks, cordex wire bundles and thousands of quintals of stored food supplies allegedly meant for Maoist camps. Several senior Maoist leaders reportedly escaped during that phase.
Push Toward Maoist-Free Target
Officials said Operation Black Forest-2 is part of the intensified nationwide anti-Maoist strategy aligned with the government’s stated objective of achieving a Maoist-free India by March 31, 2026. The current operation is expected to continue for around two weeks, with continuous intelligence coordination and inter-state force cooperation.
Security agencies remain on high alert for possible retaliatory action as search and sanitisation operations continue across the forested border belt.
