Raipur, September 22 — Security forces in Chhattisgarh gunned down two senior Maoist leaders carrying a combined reward of Rs 80 lakh during an encounter in the dense forests of Narayanpur district on Monday, officials said.
The deceased were identified as Raju Dada alias Katta Ramachandra Reddy, 63, and Kosa Dada alias Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy, 67 — both Central Committee members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoists). Each carried a reward of Rs 40 lakh in Chhattisgarh.
The gun battle erupted in the Abhujmaad forest, bordering Maharashtra, during a search operation launched on intelligence inputs about the movement of senior cadres, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria said. “Intermittent exchange of fire continued for several hours before the bodies of two male cadres were recovered from the spot,” he noted.
From the encounter site, security forces seized an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS rifle, a barrel grenade launcher, a large quantity of explosives, Maoist literature and other materials of daily use, Guria said.
Both leaders hailed from Karimnagar district of Telangana and were long associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, which directs Maoist activity in Bastar. Police said the duo had orchestrated several deadly attacks in the region over three decades, targeting both security forces and civilians.
“Raju Dada was also known by aliases Gudsa Usendi, Vijay, Vikalp, while Kosa Dada was also known as Gopanna and Buchanna,” Guria said, adding that authorities are gathering details of cases and rewards announced by other states and central agencies.
Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P described the action as a significant blow to the Maoist organization. “Despite difficult terrain and adverse weather, police and security forces in Bastar remain steadfast in their commitment, working in line with the vision of the Union and Chhattisgarh governments as well as the aspirations of the people of Bastar,” he said.
The officer urged remaining cadres to abandon violence and take advantage of the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.
With Monday’s operation, security forces have killed 249 Naxalites in separate encounters across Chhattisgarh since the beginning of the year, police data show.
