In a significant operation, 14 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district. The operation, which took place late Monday night into Tuesday morning, resulted in the death of Chalpati, a senior Maoist leader with a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head. The encounter occurred in the Kularighat reserve forest, located along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, just 5 km from Odisha's Nuapada district.

A joint team of security forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA, and the Special Operation Group (SOG) from Odisha, carried out the operation based on intelligence regarding the presence of Maoists in the region. During the operation, a large cache of weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), was recovered.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the operation as a significant blow to Naxalism and reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating Maoist violence by March 2026. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also commended the security forces for their bravery and success.

This encounter is part of a broader effort in Chhattisgarh to combat Maoist insurgency, with over 200 Maoists killed in 2024 alone. The security forces have also made significant arrests and seen many Maoists surrender. Despite the ongoing violence, the government's resolve to achieve a Naxal-free India remains strong.