At least 27 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Wednesday morning. The encounter has been continuing for around 50 hours along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border. The reserve forces were out on an operation in the Abujhmad area. This was followed by intelligence inputs on the presence of senior cadres of the Maad division of Maoists.

At least 27 Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Wednesday morning. The encounter has been continuing for around 50 hours along the Narayanpur-Bijapur border. The reserve forces were out on an operation in the Abujhmad area. This was followed by intelligence inputs on the presence of senior cadres of the Maad division of Maoists.

“The operation has been going on for the last 72 hours. More than 26 Maoists were killed in the encounter on Wednesday,” State Home Minister Vijay Sharma said. According to The Times Of India report, A top CPI (Maoist) leader, Nambala Keshavrao, also known by his alias Basavaraj has also been killed.

Top CPI (Maoist) Leader Killed

The Times of India reported that top CPI (Maoist) leader and General Secretary Nambala Keshavrao, also known by his alias Basavaraj, has also been killed. The area is known for having a lot of insurgent (rebel) activity. Basavaraj, the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist), is believed to be one of at least 26 Maoists killed in a gunfight with COBRA commandos and Chhattisgarh police. Other important Maoist leaders reportedly killed include Madhu, a senior member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, and Naveen, who worked with the group’s publication wing called Jung. Before becoming General Secretary, Basavaraj led the group’s Central Military Commission. This role is usually held by the group’s top military leader.