Fierce Encounter Between Maoists and Security Forces in Nenduur-Thulthuli: 31 Maoists Killed
Raipur
In a significant anti-Maoist operation, security forces recovered the bodies of 31 Maoists, including 18 men and 13 women, following a fierce encounter in the Nenduur-Thulthuli forests on October 4, 2024. Among the dead were high-ranking Maoist leaders from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), Divisional Committee Members (DVCM), and members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Company No. 6.
The encounter, which lasted from 12:30 PM until late evening, was initiated based on precise intelligence that top Maoist leaders were present in the area. The joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) from Dantewada and Narayanpur districts launched the operation despite challenging terrain and heavy rains.
Among the dead was Niti, aka Urmila, a DKSZC leader and Eastern Bastar in-charge with a ₹25 lakh bounty on her head. Security forces have identified 15 of the deceased, including two DVCM leaders with ₹8 lakh bounties and nine members of PLGA Company No. 6. The identification process for the remaining Maoists is still ongoing.
Arms and Maoists Identified
The security forces also recovered a large cache of weapons, including one light machine gun (LMG), four AK-47 rifles, six self-loading rifles (SLRs), three INSAS rifles, and two .303 rifles. This marks one of the most significant recoveries of automatic weapons in recent anti-Maoist operations.
Identified Maoists include:
Niti (DKSZC) – ₹25 lakh bounty
Suresh Salam (DVCM) – ₹8 lakh bounty
Meena Madkam (DVCM) – ₹8 lakh bounty
Arjun (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Sundar (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Budhram (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Sukku (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Sohan (ACM, Barsur AC)
Phoolo (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Basanti (PPCM, PLGA Company 6)
Jamila aka Budhri (PM, PLGA Company 6)
Ramder (ACM)
Suklu aka Vijay (ACM)
Jamli (ACM)
Sonu Korram (ACM, Amdeyi)
These 16 Maoists alone carried bounties amounting to ₹1.30 crore.
Security Forces Achieve Historic Success
Dantewada Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Rai, praised the operation, stating, “This is a historic success for our forces. Our mission is to protect the local population from Maoist influence and restore peace and development to the region.” He appealed to those still following Maoist ideology to surrender and take advantage of the government’s rehabilitation policies.
Bastar Range Inspector General (IG), Sundarraj P., highlighted the substantial losses suffered by the Maoists in 2024. “Top Maoist leaders like Joganna, Randher, Rupesh, and TSC Commander Sagar have been eliminated. The Maoists are increasingly losing ground,” he stated.
Narayanpur SP, Prabhat Kumar, reported significant successes against the Maoists in 2024: “So far, 44 Maoists have been killed, 29 arrested, and 47 have surrendered in Narayanpur alone.”
Ongoing Operations in Eastern Bastar
Dantewada DIG, Kamlochan Kashyap, emphasized the blow this operation has dealt to the Maoist stronghold in Eastern Bastar. “The Maoists are now blaming their lower cadres and the local population for these losses, signaling a shift in morale,” he added.
The success of this joint operation is part of a broader effort in Bastar. According to Bastar Range IG Sundarraj P., in 2024 alone, 188 Maoists have been killed, 706 arrested, and 733 have surrendered across the region.
Injured Soldier Stable
Despite the intensity of the encounter, only one soldier sustained injuries and is currently in stable condition, receiving treatment in Raipur. All other security personnel are safe.
This encounter is a crucial victory for the security forces, marking a significant reduction in Maoist influence in the region and a step toward stabilizing the insurgency-affected areas of Bastar.
