"Operation Black Forest a milestone in fight against naxalism": Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 21 (ANI): Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday congratulated Union Home Minister Amit Shah and security forces for the success of Operation Black Forest, which killed 27 Maoists, including top CPI-Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju in a major operation in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.
In a post on X, Eknath Shinde wrote, "Heartfelt congratulations to the Honourable Union Home Minister@AmitShahJi and our brave security forces for the unprecedented success of "Operation Black Forest" which eliminated 27 major Naxalites!"
https://x.com/mieknathshinde/status/1925177156503740803
He also added that this operation will be considered a milestone in the campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eradicate Naxalites from the country's soil completely.
"Today's operation will be considered a milestone in the campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji to completely eradicate Naxalites from the country's soil. In today's operation, a fierce Naxalite, Nambla Keshavrao alias Basavaraj, was killed and many others were arrested. This operation will boost the morale of our security forces and the sense of fear among the citizens will also be destroyed. Once again, congratulations to the security forces," the post reads.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, general secretary of CPI-Maoist, in an operation in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district and lauded the major breakthrough.
In a post on X, he said this is the first time in three decades of India's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by the security forces.
Noting that Basavaraju was the backbone of the Naxal movement, Amit Shah said 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, after the completion of Operation Black Forest.
Amit Shah said the Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before March 31 next year.
"A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement," he said in a post on X.
"This is the first time in three decades of Bharat's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralized by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough. Also glad to share that after completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the March 31. 2026," he added.
Earlier today, an encounter broke out between security forces and Naxals in the forest area of Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao has asserted that security forces are working "diligently" to make Bastar Naxal-free by March 2026.
"After the formation of our government in the state, a programme is running to make Bastar Naxal-free. In Narayanpur, more than two dozen Naxalites have been killed in an encounter. Our security forces are working diligently so that by March 2026, Bastar becomes Naxal-free," Arun Sao told ANI.
Deputy CM confirmed that one soldier was injured during the encounter.
Security forces conducted 'Operation Black Forest' to break the backbone of Naxals near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. (ANI)