In a significant effort to enhance counter-insurgency operations, the government has sanctioned the establishment of a Jungle Warfare School in the Karreguta Hills of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. This area, once a stronghold for Maoist insurgents, will now serve as a specialized training hub for various security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
Preparations for the school are reportedly ongoing, with the Central Government undertaking the construction of the training facility. In parallel, the state government will develop the approach road and ensure the availability of basic amenities necessary for the school’s operation.
The strategic location of Karreguta Hills holds great significance, as it was liberated from Maoist dominance during a CRPF-led operation in April 2025. Once characterized by rugged terrain that provided insurgents with a secure base, the area is now being repurposed to equip security personnel with skills tailored for combating Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
Karreguta extends over 60 kilometers and features elevations reaching up to 5,000 meters, including natural formations such as caves, waterfalls, and narrow valleys. These characteristics previously facilitated Maoist camps and arms manufacturing; however, security officials believe that training within this challenging environment will greatly improve the operational readiness of personnel.
The curriculum for the training school will draw on lessons learned from the April operation, focusing on strategies such as ‘cave intervention,’ survival skills, ambush response tactics, counter-IED operations, and high-altitude guerrilla combat techniques within dense forested areas.
As the lead entity in India’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism efforts, the CRPF plays a crucial role with its deployment of around 100 battalions, including specialized CoBRA units, in regions affected by LWE. The establishment of this new school is anticipated to bolster both operational efficacy and morale among the forces tasked with maintaining internal security in one of the country’s most challenging contexts.
Officials have expressed optimism that the creation of the Jungle Warfare School marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against Maoist insurgency, transforming a site once synonymous with rebellion into a formidable center for national security training.
