New Delhi: The CRPF has significantly expanded its operational infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions by setting up 229 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) since 2019.
This initiative aligns with the Centre’s ambitious plan to eradicate Naxal/Maoist insurgency across India by March 2026 — a strategic objective underscored by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The CRPF, one of the principal federal forces tasked with counter-insurgency in India’s Red Corridor, has constructed these FOBs across six key states plagued by Naxal activity including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
Strategic Importance of CRPF Forward Operating Bases (FOBs)
Forward Operating Bases are semi-permanent or permanent installations that house personnel, communication networks, medical units, logistics support, and essential infrastructure.
These bases allow security forces to remain deployed for extended durations in remote and insurgency-prone areas that were previously dominated by Naxal groups.
Unlike temporary camps, FOBs are designed to serve as bridges between central armed forces and affected villages, shrinking the operational distance and enabling rapid tactical responses. Their presence boosts intelligence gathering, surveillance, and cross-agency coordination with state police units.
CRPF Forward Operating Bases: Year-Wise Progress and Geographic Spread
Data released in a written parliamentary response by the Minister of State for Home Affairs reveals that the number of FOBs has steadily increased:
2019: 8
2020: 18
2021: 29
2022: 48
2023: 27
2024: 40
2025: 59
Chhattisgarh accounted for the highest number of new FOBs in 2025, with 32 out of 59, while other states such as Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana reported varied expansions in coverage.
Operational Impact of CRPF Forward Operating Bases on Counter-Insurgency
The extended network of FOBs has produced measurable improvements in the government’s counter-Naxal strategy:
Enhanced Reach and Domination
FOBs have enabled security forces to penetrate deep into dense forests and historically inaccessible interiors, contesting Naxal control in core strongholds.
Reduction in LWE Spread
According to Ministry of Home Affairs data, the number of districts classified as Naxal-affected declined significantly over recent years — from more than 120 in the late 2010s to about 11 by late 2025.
Boost to Civil Administration
The presence of FOBs has also facilitated greater civil outreach, protection of development projects (roads, mobile connectivity), and welfare initiatives — factors seen as central to undermining the insurgent recruitment base.
National Policy and Broader Counter-Insurgency Framework
The FOB expansion forms part of India’s National Policy and Action Plan (NPAP) for LWE, first approved in 2015, which integrates security operations with governance and development interventions.
The plan aims not only to defeat insurgents militarily but also to address the socio-economic grievances that fuel insurgency.
The NPAP’s multi-pronged strategy encompasses enhanced infrastructure, rehabilitation and surrender schemes for militants, and improvements in local law enforcement capacity.
Combined with FOBs, these measures have been credited with a notable contraction in LWE violence — measured by incidents and casualties.
2026 Deadline: Challenges and Future Outlook of CRPF Forward Operating Bases
With the March 2026 elimination target looming, both security officials and analysts recognize that the final phase of counter-insurgency will be crucial.
Despite territorial gains and fewer reported violent incidents, Naxal groups remain active in isolated pockets, often employing guerrilla tactics.
Experts contend that sustained development in liberated areas, expanding local policing capabilities, and continued community engagement will be indispensable to maintain gains achieved through FOB deployment and parallel strategies.
