31 Maoists, 2 Indian Soldiers Killed in India Gunfight

At least 31 Maoist rebels and two Indian commandos have been killed in a violent clash in the dense jungles of central India, as security forces intensify their efforts to dismantle the long-running insurgency. The gunfight occurred on Sunday in the forested areas of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh state, a region long regarded as the epicenter of the Maoist movement.

The death toll, which also includes two security personnel wounded in the battle, may rise further as search operations continue in the area. “31 rebels and two security personnel are dead, and two others are injured,” senior police officer Sundarraj P. reported to AFP.

The rebels, who have waged an insurgency for decades, claim to be fighting for the rights of marginalized Indigenous communities. The ongoing conflict, which has already claimed more than 10,000 lives, centers on demands for land rights, jobs, and a share of the region’s vast natural resources for local residents.

A police statement confirmed the recovery of automatic weapons and grenade launchers at the scene, signaling the intensity of the conflict. Additional security forces have been deployed to the area as authorities fear the death toll could climb.

“This is a significant victory in our efforts toward a Naxal-free India,” said Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister. Shah has previously stated that the government aims to eliminate the rebellion by 2026.

The latest operation is part of a larger security crackdown that has resulted in the deaths of approximately 287 Maoists in the past year alone, with the majority of casualties concentrated in Chhattisgarh, according to government data.

The Maoist insurgency, which gained momentum through the 1990s and early 2000s, primarily targeted the resource-rich and impoverished regions of India’s eastern and southern states. In response, New Delhi deployed tens of thousands of troops to quell the movement, particularly in the so-called "Red Corridor."

The ongoing conflict continues to claim lives on both sides. Last month, a roadside bomb killed at least nine Indian soldiers, underlining the persistent and violent nature of the insurgency. The situation remains volatile, and authorities are bracing for further confrontations as they attempt to subdue the rebellion.