Credit: TOI

HYDERABAD: A top CPI (Maoist) leader, Nambala Keshavrao, also known by his alias Basavaraj, was among 26 Naxalites gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.Police said that the encounter broke out when Naxalites opened fire on teams of District Reserve Guards during an operation in Abhujmad area following intelligence inputs about the presence of senior cadres of the Mad division of Maoists.A ‘supporter’ of police was killed and a police jawan was injured in the gunfight, they said. The encounter took place in dense forests between Abhujmad and Indravati national park area when a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) of police from four districts was out on anti-Naxal operation, said deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma.

“More than 26 Naxalites, some of them probably top cadres, were killed. One supporter of the police was killed and a police jawan was injured in the action,” said Sharma, who holds the home portfolio. Combing operations are still underway, he added. The gunfight is still underway. Top CPI (Maoist) leader and general secretary killedThe operation took place near Maad, a remote Maoist stronghold situated between Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, according to intelligence sources in Telangana. The area is known to be a hotbed of insurgent activity. Basavaraj, who was the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist), is believed to be among at least 26 Maoists killed during the exchange of fire with COBRA commandos and Chhattisgarh police.Other prominent names reportedly killed include Madhu, a key leader of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, and Naveen, associated with the outfit’s publication wing Jung.Basavaraj had previously served as the head of the group’s Central Military Commission (CMC) before becoming General Secretary. The position is traditionally filled by the military head of the organisation. Intelligence officials say his death could be a major setback for the insurgent group’s leadership and ability to regroup. Security officials say the encounter was part of Operation Kagar, an ongoing offensive targeting Maoist strongholds.The campaign follows earlier phases conducted in Karreguttalu Hills and the Abujhmad forests. Paramilitary units involved had briefly diverted to participate in Operation Sindoor but have since resumed combing operations in central India. Originally from Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, Basavaraj joined the Maoist movement during his student years in Warangal, where he was active in the Radical Students Union. He was wanted by the National Investigation Agency and police forces in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.(With inputs from agencies)