Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh – In a major breakthrough for Indian security forces, senior Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao, better known as Basavaraju, was neutralized during a fierce encounter in the heart of Abujhmad’s dense forests on Wednesday morning. The full account of the mission has now come to light, revealing months of covert tracking, intelligence gathering, and strategic coordination by anti-Naxal units.
A Routine Patrol Turns Into a Historic Operation
Around 7 AM on May 22, a sentry from the CPI (Maoist) unexpectedly came across a jawan from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) during a patrol operation in the remote and rugged region of Abujhmad, a territory long believed to be impenetrable and a strategic stronghold for Maoist top brass.
This accidental encounter triggered an intense gun battle that would ultimately lead to the demise of Basavaraju the most senior Maoist commander in India and the elusive head of the group’s Central Military Commission.
Operation Abujhmad: Months in the Making
According to senior officials from Bastar, this wasn’t an overnight success. For over three months, the Narayanpur Police's anti-Naxal team had been working tirelessly to map out the movements and hideouts of top Maoist leaders, with a particular focus on Basavaraju.
The police’s breakthrough came from interrogating surrendered Maoists, especially those who had served in Company No. 7, an elite unit of the Maoists specifically trained to safeguard high-ranking leaders. Though many of these cadres tried to mislead investigators, the team, under the leadership of Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar, chased every lead, no matter how minor or misleading.
Shrinking Maoist Territory
As one operation followed another, the safe zones within Abujhmad—once a Maoist fortress—began to contract under pressure. Overlapping surveillance efforts and constant tactical pushes began to corner even the most elusive insurgents.
On Monday, based on a local tip-off, DRG units from Bijapur, Dantewada, and Narayanpur initiated a coordinated search operation. Although they engaged Maoists in four separate skirmishes, Basavaraju narrowly escaped capture.
Tuesday’s follow-up searches yielded little—but unbeknownst to both sides, DRG forces and Maoist cadres had ended up camping barely a kilometer apart.
The Fatal Encounter
At daybreak on Wednesday, a Maoist sentry unexpectedly came face-to-face with a DRG jawan. A close-quarter skirmish ensued, where the sentry attacked with a bayonet affixed to his rifle. The jawan managed to resist, and the struggle alerted both camps, igniting a broader gunfight.
Realizing the proximity of DRG teams, the Maoists attempted to flee southward—only to stumble upon another DRG unit. Doubling back north, they collided head-on with Eagle Team, a special DRG strike force stationed on a plateau.
In that moment, the Maoists formed a defensive ring around one individual, whom DRG immediately suspected to be a high-value target.
Despite being outgunned and under elevated fire, DRG commandos advanced through the rocky terrain, unleashing nearly 300 rounds in a half-hour-long battle. One by one, the Maoist defenses crumbled.
“As soon as the elderly Maoist in the center was brought down, the rebels started shouting slogans ‘Lal Salaam’ and ‘PLGA Zindabad’ before scattering into the forest,” recounted an officer who participated in the mission. “We surrounded the area and neutralized the remaining threats.”
Identity Confirmed by a Former Comrade
In the aftermath, a former Maoist now a DRG jawan stepped forward. Having previously served in Company 7, he immediately recognized the lifeless body of Basavaraju.
"It was the culmination of tireless planning, extensive field intelligence, and relentless perseverance. No one expected the man who had led the Maoist movement for decades to fall in this manner," the officer added.
Basavaraju's death marks a turning point in the anti-Naxal campaign, especially in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. For years, the insurgent leader operated from deep within Abujhmad, considered unbreachable due to its geography and Maoist control.
With this operation, security forces have not only eliminated a high-value target but have also made a symbolic dent in the morale and command structure of the Maoist insurgency.