In a significant boost to India’s counter-insurgency efforts, security forces neutralized 14 Maoists in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The operations, conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), mark the first major anti-Naxal action of the year and underscore the government’s sustained push to curb Left Wing Extremism in central India.
According to official sources, the encounters took place in remote forested areas of Bastar, a region long considered a stronghold of Maoist insurgents. Acting on precise intelligence inputs regarding the movement of armed Maoist cadres, DRG teams launched coordinated search and combing operations during the early hours of Saturday. These operations later escalated into intense gunfights when security personnel came under fire.
In the first encounter, DRG personnel successfully neutralized a group of Maoists believed to be involved in multiple attacks on security forces and civilian infrastructure. The second encounter occurred in a nearby area, where another armed squad was intercepted while attempting to flee deeper into the forest terrain. Collectively, 14 Maoists were killed in the two engagements, dealing a substantial blow to insurgent networks operating in the Bastar division.
Senior police officials described the operations as “strategically significant,” highlighting that the neutralized Maoists included experienced cadres who played key roles in planning ambushes and extortion activities. A cache of weapons, ammunition, and Maoist literature was also recovered from the encounter sites, further indicating the operational readiness of the insurgent groups.
Key Highlights of the Bastar Operations:
- Total Maoists neutralized: 14
- Security force involved: District Reserve Guard (DRG)
- Location: Bastar region, Chhattisgarh
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Significance: First major anti-Maoist operation of 2026
The Bastar region has remained at the center of India’s fight against Left Wing Extremism due to its dense forests, difficult terrain, and socio-economic challenges. Over the past few years, however, intensified operations by state police and central forces, coupled with development initiatives, have gradually weakened Maoist influence in several pockets of Chhattisgarh.
Security experts note that the success of these encounters reflects improved coordination, better intelligence gathering, and enhanced training of specialized units like the DRG. “Such operations send a strong message that security forces remain proactive and prepared, even at the very start of the year,” a senior official said, adding that follow-up operations are underway to ensure no insurgents regroup in the area.
