Raipur
Security forces killed four Naxals, including a woman, during an encounter in the Bijapur National Park area along the Chhattisgarh–Maharashtra border on Saturday. Among the deceased is Dilip Vendja, the chief of the National Park Area Committee.
District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel recovered the bodies of the four Naxals along with two AK-47 rifles from the spot. While Vendja has been identified, the identities of the other three are being verified.
The encounter took place in a region considered a stronghold of Paparao, a senior Naxal leader and the person in charge of the National Park area. Paparao is the sole surviving member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) cadre. Senior police officials noted that the elimination of Paparao would effectively dismantle the DKSZC leadership.
The operation was launched following specific intelligence regarding the presence of Paparao and a large group of Naxals in the border forests. DRG units on an anti-Naxal patrol engaged the insurgents in a gunfight, resulting in the death of Vendja and his associates.
The Bijapur police issued a statement confirming that the operation is ongoing. “The area has been cordoned off, and search parties are looking for other Naxals who may have fled. Specific details regarding the location and troop strength are being withheld to ensure the safety of personnel,” the press note stated.
Leadership vacuum in Naxal ranks
The Naxal movement has faced significant setbacks over the last 18 months, with 23 high-ranking leaders killed in various operations. This includes prominent figures such as Madvi Hidma, Basvaraju, and Ganesh Uike. Additionally, several senior cadres, including Bhupathi, Rupesh, and Ramdher, have surrendered with their followers.
Currently, the organisation is reportedly being run by only three top leaders: Politburo members Devji, Misir Besra, and Ganapathy. In the Bastar region, Paparao and Deva remain the primary targets for security forces.
Most wanted Naxal leaders
- Thippari Tirupati alias Devji (61): Resident of Telangana; current General Secretary; ₹1 crore bounty in Chhattisgarh.
- Mupalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy (74): Former General Secretary; stepped down due to age-related ailments; reward over ₹1 crore.
- Misir Besra alias Bhaskar (62): Politburo member from Jharkhand; head of the Eastern Regional Bureau (ERB).
- Paparao alias Mangu (56): Native of Sukma; DKSZC member; head of the West Bastar Division Committee; priority target for forces.
