Govt Targets End of Maoism by 2026, Major Blow Dealt in Chhattisgarh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s goal to eliminate Maoism by March 2026. A major breakthrough came with the killing of 27 Maoists, including top leader Basavaraju, in Chhattisgarh. Maoist violence has declined 81% since 2010, and affected districts have dropped from 126 to just 18. Civilian and security deaths fell by 85%, and infrastructure attacks reduced sharply. Over 150 Maoists have been killed in 2024 so far. Operation Black Forest led to 54 arrests and 84 surrenders.