Indian Troops Kill Eight Maoist Rebels in Central India

The conflict, which has spanned decades, has claimed more than 10,000 lives. The Maoist rebels, who claim to be fighting for the rights of marginalized Indigenous communities, continue their armed struggle in the heartland of India’s “Red Corridor.”

The gunfight erupted early on Saturday in the forested region of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, one of the insurgency’s main strongholds. "After a fierce exchange of gunfire, the bodies of eight Maoist fighters were recovered from the jungles of Bijapur today," said Sundarraj P., a senior police officer, in a statement to AFP.

Among the weapons seized were a grenade launcher and several rifles. Authorities have indicated that a search operation is still ongoing in the area.

In the past year alone, a government crackdown has led to the deaths of approximately 287 Maoist fighters, the majority in Chhattisgarh, according to official reports. India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, has previously stated that the government aims to eliminate the rebellion by 2026.

The Maoist movement, which demands land rights, jobs, and a fair share of the region’s rich natural resources for local residents, has gained a foothold in remote communities across eastern and southern India. Though the insurgency peaked in the early 2000s, New Delhi responded by deploying tens of thousands of troops to contain the movement.

The ongoing conflict continues to claim lives on both sides. Last month, a roadside bomb killed at least nine Indian soldiers, underlining the ongoing volatility of the region.