Seven Maoists killed in Gadchiroli encounter; C-60 commando martyred
Telangana: Seven hardcore Maoists carrying cumulative cash rewards of ₹71 lakh were neutralised in a three day anti-Maoist operation conducted by Gadchiroli Police, C-60 Commando Force and the Central Reserve Police Force in the forested border areas of Abujhmaad near Bhamragad.
Operation launched after intelligence inputs
Police said credible intelligence was received on February 3, 2026, about the presence of remaining members of Maoist Company No. 10 and other cadres from Chhattisgarh camping in the Gadchiroli Narayanpur border area with plans to carry out violent activities. An operation led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amar Mohite was launched the same night with 14 C-60 teams entering the dense and difficult terrain.
Exchange of fire over three days
During searches on February 4, Maoists opened indiscriminate fire, which was retaliated by police in self-defence. Two Maoist camps were destroyed and a large quantity of materials recovered. On February 5, following reinforcements including additional C-60 units and a CRPF Quick Action Team, police recovered the bodies of three Maoists along with an AK-47 rifle and an SLR. On February 6, four more Maoist bodies were recovered, taking the total to seven.
Weapons, explosives recovered
Police said five firearms — three AK-47 rifles, one SLR and one .303 rifle along with 173 live rounds, three barrel grenade launchers, magazines, gelatin sticks, cortex wire and Maoist literature were seized during the operation.
Among those killed was Prabhakar alias Ravi alias Prakalveer alias Swami alias Loketi Chandarrao, 57, a Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member who headed the West Sub-Zonal Bureau and Company No. 10, carrying a reward of ₹25 lakh. Others included company and platoon commanders and party members from Chhattisgarh, police said.
C-60 commando dies of bullet injuries
One C-60 commando, Deepak Chinna Madavi, was martyred after sustaining bullet injuries during heavy firing on the evening of February 5. He was airlifted from the forests and taken to the sub-district hospital in Bhamragad, where he succumbed to injuries. Another commando, Joga Madavi, was injured and is undergoing treatment, with his condition stated to be stable.
Police said the operation was conducted under the guidance of senior officers from Maharashtra Police and the CRPF. Since 2021, Gadchiroli Police have neutralised 99 hardcore Maoists, arrested 140 and facilitated the surrender of 153. Anti-Maoist operations have been intensified in the region, and an appeal has been reiterated to remaining cadres to surrender and join the mainstream.
