Mulugu/Bhupalpally: At least five Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Karregutta forest region along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border on Thursday.
The success came after nearly 2,000 personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, CoBRA, CRPF and STF launched a major combing operation as part of Operation Black Forest – 2 (also known as Operation Kagar – 2).
According to officials, the large-scale offensive was launched after intelligence inputs suggested a gathering of Maoist cadres in the dense forested terrain. On the first day of the operation, security personnel engaged in a fierce exchange of fire, resulting in the deaths of 5 Naxalites. Their identities are yet to be confirmed.
Officials believe that some top leaders of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), could be among the dead. There is also the possibility of the recovery of more bodies as the security forces move deeper into the forest.
Operation Black Forest-2 is a continuation of last year’s Operation Black Forest, which was one of the biggest anti-Naxal drives in the Karreguttalu hills.
Officials emphasized that the operation is part of a sustained strategy to break the backbone of Left Wing Extremism before March 31, 2026. The Karregutta forest has long been considered a strategic hideout for Naxal formations, who take advantage of its rugged terrain and natural cover.
Security forces have intensified combing operations in the area to flush out remaining cadres and recover weapons or explosives. The encounter marks a significant step in the ongoing campaign, though authorities caution that the operation is far from over.
Nearly 10,000 security personnel carried out operations at the Karregutta forest for 21 days from April 21 to May 11, 2025. As many as 31 Maoists were killed and Rs 1.72 crore was seized. Officials claimed that 214 Naxals were driven away from the jungle and 405 landmines were seized.
