In a major victory for security forces, Maoist leader Chalapati, who carried a bounty of ₹1 crore, was among 12 extremists killed during an ongoing inter-state operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. Conducted jointly by the Odisha and Chhattisgarh police and CRPF, the operation targeted Maoist strongholds in the Kularighat reserve forest, just five kilometers from Odisha’s Nuapada district. The gunfight occurred late Monday night and continued into the early hours of Tuesday. Along with Chalapati, two female Maoists were gunned down earlier, raising the total casualties to 14. Massive amounts of arms and ammunition were seized, and authorities expect the death toll to rise further as the operation continues.

The ongoing crackdown on Maoists in the region has led to over 40 fatalities this year alone, with Chalapati’s death marking a significant blow to extremist activities in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. Security officials revealed that Chalapati had recently moved closer to the Odisha border, attempting to evade heightened operations in his former base. Last year, the Bastar region alone saw the elimination of 217 Maoists, with over 800 arrested and 802 others surrendering. However, the conflict continues to take its toll, with 18 security personnel and 65 civilians losing their lives in 2024. Authorities remain committed to eliminating Maoist activity, focusing on disrupting their leadership and supply chains.

The inter-state operation reflects the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb left-wing extremism in India. The dense forests of the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border have long been a Maoist stronghold, but intensified security measures and intelligence-led operations have increasingly restricted their movements. With significant seizures of arms, ammunition, and critical resources, officials aim to cripple the operational capabilities of the extremists while encouraging more surrenders in the region.