A fierce clash between Indian security forces and Maoist rebels took place in the central state of Chhattisgarh, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Maoist insurgents and one soldier. The confrontations occurred on Thursday in two separate locations within the state.
For decades, Maoist insurgents have been fighting against government forces, claiming to advocate for the rights of marginalized tribal communities in the mineral-rich region of central India. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 10,000 people.
According to Indian police, Thursday’s clashes took place in different areas of Chhattisgarh, with one paramilitary soldier killed in the fighting. At least 30 Maoist rebels were also reported dead in the day-long confrontations.
Sundarraj Pattilingam, Inspector General of Police in Bastar, told AFP that a soldier was killed in an extended gun battle in Bijapur district, where security forces eliminated 26 Maoist guerrillas. In another encounter in the southern part of the state, four more Maoist insurgents were killed. Security forces also recovered a significant amount of weapons and ammunition from the conflict sites.
In a statement on social media platform X, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s tough stance on Maoist insurgents, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration is following a “zero-tolerance policy” against those who refuse to surrender.
The Maoist insurgency in India traces its roots back to 1967, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. The rebels, also known as Naxalites, claim to fight for the rights of indigenous and marginalized communities.
Last year, Indian security forces arrested around 1,000 suspected Naxalites, while 837 insurgents surrendered. In September, Amit Shah had warned Maoist rebels to either surrender or face an all-out offensive, expressing hope that the government would successfully suppress the insurgency by early 2026.