In a significant development for India’s counterinsurgency efforts, security forces have successfully wrapped up Operation Black Forest, a 21-day initiative targeting Naxalite forces in the rugged Karreguttalu Hill region that straddles the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. This operation has been hailed as the largest and most successful strike against these insurgent groups in the country’s history, leading to the elimination of 31 Naxalites, including key commanders.
The neutralized insurgents, who collectively had a bounty of ₹1.72 crore, were part of various factions such as the Unified Command of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion, the Central Regional Committee (CRC), and the Telangana State Committee. The operation played a crucial role in dismantling their well-fortified hideouts across the 60-kilometer stretch of the KGH forest, previously regarded as impenetrable due to its challenging terrain and strategic importance.
From April 21 to May 11, more than 20,000 personnel from a coalition including the CoBRA, Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) executed the operation. They successfully destroyed 214 hideouts and bunkers, recovered an impressive cache of explosives including 450 IEDs, 818 BGL shells, and 899 bundles of detonator cords, and seized 35 automatic and semi-automatic weapons.
Additionally, troops uncovered and dismantled four technical units responsible for the production of weapons and explosives, alongside seizing over 12,000 kg of rations, medicines, and logistical supplies intended for insurgents. Remarkably, despite operating in extreme conditions with temperatures exceeding 45°C, there were no fatalities among security personnel, although 18 individuals suffered injuries—mostly from IED blasts—but all are currently stable and receiving medical treatment.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation, stating that Karreguttalu Hill, once a stronghold of insurgency, now waves the Indian tricolor as a symbol of victory. He reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, considering this operation a crucial milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh and Chhattisgarh’s Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam confirmed in a joint press conference that 28 of the 31 deceased insurgents have been identified, including 16 female combatants. They noted that no previous operations have resulted in such a substantial seizure of explosives and weaponry in a single campaign.
This striking operation follows a marked decline in Naxal activity across India. The number of districts affected by Naxalism has fallen drastically from 126 in 2014 to just 18 in 2025, while violent incidents have decreased from 1,080 to 374 over the same period. During the first four months of 2025 alone, 197 Naxalites were neutralized, with 718 surrendering, building on the momentum from 928 surrenders in 2024. Enhanced infrastructure, featuring 320 new security camps and 555 fortified police stations, has strengthened the state’s security presence in vulnerable regions.
Operation Black Forest is now considered a potential watershed moment in India’s internal security narrative, showcasing a coordinated, intelligence-led approach combined with advanced technology aimed at reclaiming territories previously dominated by Naxal forces. Officials are optimistic that the progress made will be instrumental in dismantling the last vestiges of Naxalite infrastructure, paving the way for a Naxal-free India.
