Dantewada DRG and Bastar Fighters Eliminate 3 Maoists, Including ₹25 Lakh Bounty SZCM Sudhir, in a Major Encounter
Raipur: In a major success against the Maoist insurgency, Dantewada DRG and Bastar Fighters neutralized three Maoists, including Sudhir alias Sudhakar alias Murli, a Special Zonal Committee Member (SZCM) carrying a ₹25 lakh bounty, along with two Maoist security squad members in a fierce encounter. The operation took place in the forest-covered hilly terrain between Girsapara, Ikeli, Nelgoda, and Bodga villages, located on the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts. This encounter marks a significant blow to the Maoist organization, as 100 Maoists have been eliminated in the Bastar range since the beginning of 2025.
High-Intensity Operation in Maoist Stronghold
Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Rai stated that the operation was based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of CPI (Maoist) cadres in the Dantewada-Bijapur border area. On March 24, 2025, security forces launched an anti-Maoist operation, leading to a fierce gun battle that erupted around 8:00 AM on Tuesday in the dense forest region. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Dantewada Range, Kamalochan Kashyap confirmed that the gunfight lasted till the afternoon, following which security forces recovered the bodies of three male Maoists.
Identities of Neutralized Maoists
According to Inspector General (IG) of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P., the deceased Maoists have been identified as:
- Sudhir alias Sudhakar alias Sonasai alias Murli (Ankesarapu Saraiya) – A top Maoist leader from Tarlapalli, Warangal, Telangana, active in Dandakaranya since 1999. He operated in Gadchiroli and MADA areas under the alias Murli, later joining Maoist commander Prabhakar in 2012 and becoming an SZC member in 2014-15. He was part of the North Bureau of the CPI (Maoist) and served as MOPOS in-charge in Dandakaranya and MADA divisions.
- Mannu Barsa – Security squad member of SZCM, carrying a ₹2 lakh bounty, resident of Bodga, Bhairamgarh police station, Bijapur district.
- Pandru Atra – Security squad member of SZCM, carrying a ₹2 lakh bounty, resident of Bodga, Bhairamgarh police station, Bijapur district.
Weapons and Explosives Seized
Security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and Maoist materials, including:
- 1 INSAS rifle with two magazines and 16 live rounds
- 1 .303 rifle with one magazine and five rounds
- 1 12-bore rifle with three live rounds and one misfired round
- Five country-made HE explosives
- Three barrels of gunpowder
- 20 firecrackers
- Three magazine pouches
- 30 meters of black and yellow wire
- Five batteries and one thermal detonator
- One Maoist flag with a star symbol
- Six backpacks, a Maoist uniform, literature, and daily essentials
Security Forces’ Commitment to Ending Maoist Insurgency
IGP Bastar Range, Sundarraj P., reaffirmed that security forces, including DRG, STF, Bastar Fighters, CoBRA, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and CAF, are fully committed to restoring peace and ensuring development in Bastar. He warned the banned CPI (Maoist) organization that surrender is their only option, urging Maoists to lay down arms and join mainstream society. Failure to do so will result in severe consequences, as security forces continue intensified anti-Maoist operations. In the last 83 days alone, security forces have eliminated 100 hardcore Maoists in Bastar, marking a major success in the fight against left-wing extremism.
