Op Black Forest dealt big blow to Naxals in Bastar: Security forces

In one of the largest operations against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in recent history, as many as 31 Naxals were killed in the Karreguttalu Hills region near Bijapur in Chhattisgarh, with security forces calling it a major setback to the infrastructure and morale of extremists.

The encounter, which began on April 22 and ended on May 11, took place at Karreguttalu Hills, a huge hillock having more than 250 caves and ambush points, which -- for a long time -- was considered an impregnable fortress of Naxals.

Around 18 security personnel were injured in the operation, but are now out of danger, officials said.

CRPF Director General GP Singh, who remained stationed in the region during the entire duration of what was named Operation Black Forest, said that with LWE now limited to only six-odd extremely affected districts across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the encounter not only breached their so-called bastion but also has hastened the near end of their long reign in the region.

The significance of Operation Black Forest can also be gauged in the context of Centre's resolve to end LWE from the country by March 31, 2026.

"Operation Black Forest took place after we had successfully mapped the entire Karreguttalu Hills region and got an idea about the extent of Naxals' presence in the area. The recovery of more than 400 IEDs, several rocket launchers, Insas rifles, and several tonnes of explosives and printing machines (for printing their publicity pamphlets) as well as four factories which manufactured ammunition came as a breakthrough for security forces and broke the backbone of their infrastructure. This offensive has gone a long way in fast tracking the deadline set by the Centre to end LWE by March next year," a senior CRPF officer told The Tribune.

Chhattisgarh DGP Arun Dev Gautam said during a press conference held at Bijapur on Wednesday that bodies of several Naxals killed in the encounter are yet to be recovered, while 28 of the 31 killed have been identified.

Significantly around 50 per cent of the killed were women, a senior police officials informed.

"By March 31, 2026, either the Naxals will be neutralised or will have to surrender. They will be left with no other choice," Singh said.

The operation was conducted jointly by CRPF's COBRA unit, Chhattisgarh police and District Reserve Guards of state police.

It has helped in breaking down the top leadership of Naxals in the region, Gautam said, adding that they might have sustained injuries and got divided into smaller units, with their morale completely destroyed.

The entire Karreguttalu Hills area is being sanitised of any kind of presence of Naxals and would soon be opened for movement of locals, police officials said.