In the dense, rugged forests of the Bastar region, the battle against Maoists is relentless. In a dramatic turn of events, 28 Maoists were killed in a fierce gunfight in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district recently, marking one of the biggest successes in the state’s ongoing war against Left-Wing Extremism, as the number of Maoists killed in the last few months, rose to a total of 185. Leading this charge is IPS officer Sundarraj Pattilingam, the Inspector General (IG) of Bastar Range, who has been at the forefront of this fight, commanding a series of high-stakes operations.
“This was a major operation, one of our most significant so far,” Sundarraj told Indian Masterminds. “Our goal is clear—to completely eliminate the Maoist menace from the region. We are making steady progress, and the support of the local population has been invaluable.”
THE HUNT FOR MAOIST LEADERS
The encounter took place in the forested area between Thulthuli and Nendur villages, situated on the inter-district border between Narayanpur and Dantewada. Acting on precise intelligence inputs, security forces launched the operation to neutralize Maoist cadres believed to be hiding in the area.
According to Sundarraj, the forces had received critical information about the presence of high-ranking Maoist leaders, including Kamlesh, a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), and other senior cadres like Neeti, Nandu, and Suresh Salam.
“Our intelligence was strong, and we knew we were dealing with high-ranking cadres,” Sundarraj explained. “We moved swiftly, mobilizing a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Dantewada and Narayanpur, along with the Special Task Force (STF).”
What followed was a grueling gun battle that stretched over several hours. The Maoists, belonging to the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Company No. 6 and Platoon 16, fought fiercely to defend their stronghold. However, the superior training and firepower of the security forces prevailed. By the end of the encounter, 28 Maoists lay dead, and several others were believed to be critically injured.
A TURNING POINT IN THE ANTI-NAXAL CAMPAIGN
This operation is the second-highest in terms of Maoist casualties in a single engagement in the state’s history. It comes just five months after another successful encounter in Kanker, where 29 Maoists, including key commanders, were gunned down. The significance of this operation cannot be overstated.
With the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including AK-47s, self-loading rifles (SLRs), and light machine guns (LMGs), the Maoists suffered a severe blow to their capabilities.
“Each successful operation like this weakens their ability to continue their campaign of terror. Our efforts are part of a continuous process. We will keep pushing forward until the entire region is free from Maoist control,” he shared with Indian Masterminds
VILLAGER SUPPORT, A GAME CHANGER
One of the key factors behind the success of Sundarraj’s operations has been the support of the local population. In a region that has long been dominated by fear and Maoist violence, villagers are increasingly siding with the forces of law and order. Years of extortion, intimidation, and violence have left the people of Bastar yearning for peace. According to Sundarraj, the tide is finally turning.
“Villagers are fed up with Maoist violence. They want relief, and they are supporting us fully,” he said. “Unlike before, the Maoists are no longer receiving any support from the local residents, and this is proving to be a decisive factor in our operations.”
The reopening of roads that were once closed due to Maoist activity is another sign of the growing control of the state over these previously inaccessible areas.
THE CHALLENGE OF JUNGLE WARFARE
Fighting Maoists in the dense jungles of Bastar is no easy task. The Maoists are seasoned guerrilla fighters who use the thick forest cover to their advantage. They hide in underground camps, move stealthily, and conceal their presence. Sundarraj and his team rely heavily on accurate intelligence, and meticulous planning is critical to the success of each operation.
“These Maoists are underground guerrillas. Their locations are concealed in the jungle, and they are highly mobile. But with good intelligence input, we can strike effectively.”
In the latest operation, the forces had to travel 40-50 kilometers through the jungle to reach the target area. Encounters occurred over five days, with both short and long-duration firefights as the forces surrounded and engaged the Maoists from multiple locations.
MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS AND TRAINING
One of the key improvements Sundarraj has introduced in the anti-Maoist operations is a focus on medical preparedness and quick evacuation. The risks involved in jungle warfare are high, and police forces have historically suffered casualties. But under Sundarraj’s leadership, enhanced training and improved equipment have significantly reduced the risk to the security forces.
“Rigorous training is conducted for months before such operations,” he said. “Medical facilities are always on standby, and in case of injury, helicopters are ready to evacuate personnel to the district headquarters for the best possible treatment.”
In the recent encounter, a jawan from the DRG, Ramchandra Yadav, was injured by a shell from a grenade launcher fired by the Maoists. Thanks to the swift medical response, he was immediately evacuated and his condition is now stable.
THE ROAD AHEAD
With 185 Maoists eliminated so far in 2024 alone, the Bastar region is gradually inching closer to peace. But Sundarraj knows the fight is far from over. He estimates that it will take another two years to completely eliminate the Maoist threat in Chhattisgarh.
“We are in this for the long haul,” Sundarraj concluded. “Our goal is to restore peace and security to the region. The Maoists are on the back foot, and we will continue to press forward until this conflict is brought to an end.”
As the state pushes ahead with its goal of eradicating Left-Wing Extremism, officers like Sundarraj Pattilingam are at the heart of this battle—determined in their mission to bring peace to Bastar.
