In a major blow to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), security forces neutralized six Maoists, including top-tier commander Ganesh Uike, during a series of intense gun battles in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, police said on Thursday.
Uike, a member of the CPI(Maoist) Central Committee and the outfit’s chief in Odisha, carried a staggering bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head.
CPI(Maoist) central committee member Uike was the chief of the banned outfit in Odisha, Sanjeeb Panda, an ADG rank officer heading anti-Naxal operations in the state, said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the mission as a “major breakthrough,” asserting that Odisha is now on the verge of becoming Naxal-free while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described it as a “remarkable success” to build a Naxal-free India.
The breakthrough began Wednesday night in the Gumma forest under Belghar police station, where two Maoists from Chhattisgarh were killed. The operation escalated Thursday morning in the Chakapad forest area, leading to the elimination of four more rebels, including Uike, he said.
“Four Maoists were killed in the gunfight. One of them was identified as 69-year-old Ganesh Uike, who is also known by his aliases Pakka Hanumantu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru and Rupa. He was a native of Pullemala village under Chendur mandal in Telangana’s Nalgonda district,” Panda said.
The identity of the other three Naxals, including two women, was yet to be ascertained, the officer said.
In a post on ‘X’, Home Minister’s Office said “A significant milestone towards Naxal-free Bharat. In a major operation in Kandhmal, Odisha, 6 Naxalites, including Central Committee Member Ganesh Uike, have been neutralized so far. With this major breakthrough, Odisha stands at the threshold of becoming completely free from Naxalism. We are resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.”
CM Majhi, who also holds the Home portfolio, praised the “indomitable courage” of the forces. He reiterated the state’s commitment to meeting the Union Government’s target of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
“Today, Odisha has achieved a remarkable success in the campaign to build a Naxal-free India. During the ongoing joint operation in Kandhamal district, 6 Naxalites, including Ganesh Uike, a member of the Naxal Central Committee, have been neutralised,” Majhi said in a social media post.
With this significant breakthrough, Odisha stands on the threshold of being completely free from Naxalism, he said.
“We are determined to completely eradicate Naxalism. The development of the state and the safety of the people are our highest priorities. Peace and progress will determine the future direction of Odisha,” the chief minister said.
Addressing a press conference, DGP Y B Khurania said, “While two Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday, four others, including Ganesh Uike, were neutralised this morning. The killing of a central committee member is a big success for Odisha Police. It has broken the backbone of the Maoists in the state.”
The DGP said operations were underway at different places along the Kandhamal-Ganjam inter-district boundary.
“We hope to get more success. This is one of the biggest operations against Maoists in Odisha in recent times. We thank the security personnel involved in the operation. We are determined to meet the Union home minister’s target of eliminating Naxalism by March, 2026,” he added.
Answering to a query, the Odisha DGP said that there was no report of any casualty on police side so far.
“This is for the first time in recent times that a Maoist commander of central committee member rank has been gunned down by security forces in Odisha,” he said.
The joint operation involved 23 specialized teams from the Special Operations Group (SOG), CRPF, and BSF.
The DGP said that based on intelligence inputs, a joint operation involving 23 teams – 20 of Special Operations Group of Odisha Police, two of CRPF and one of BSF – was launched in Chakapad police station area in Kandhamal district and bordering Rambha forest range in Ganjam district on Thursday morning.
“Multiple gunfights were reported on Thursday in different areas. Later, four bodies of Maoists — two men and women each — were recovered. Two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle were also seized,” he added.
The Naxals killed on Wednesday night were identified as CPI(Maoist)’s area committee member Bari alias Rakesh, and dalam member Amrit, both from Chhattisgarh, a senior police officer said, adding they carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 23.65 lakh on their heads.
The gunfights took place after 22 Maoists surrendered before Khurania in neighbouring Malkangiri district on Tuesday.
The DGP on Thursday again issued an appeal to the Maoists to return to the mainstream.
“Odisha’s surrender and rehabilitation policy is the best in the country under which surrendered Maoists get many benefits, including cash and social security like houses, ration cards, cash to do business and above all, skill training,” he added.
