HYDERABAD: The intense anti-Maoist offensive, Operation Kagar, being carried out along the Telangana–Chhattisgarh border has entered its ninth day, with security forces successfully gaining complete control over the strategic Karregutta hills in Bijapur district. This marks a significant milestone in the multi-agency crackdown targeting top Maoist leadership entrenched in the dense border forests.
Backed by over 10,000 personnel, the high-altitude operation – spanning terrain over 5,000 feet above sea level – has resulted in a breakthrough as forces raised the national flag atop the Karregutta peak today. This symbolic move underlines the operational success achieved by central and state forces in a notoriously Maoist-dominated zone.
Led by the CRPF, the joint operation includes elite forces such as Chhattisgarh’s DRG, Bastar Fighters, and COBRA commandos, who launched simultaneous ground and aerial missions from Kottapalli in Telangana and Pujarikanker, Nambi, Nadipalli and Galgam in Chhattisgarh. The offensive is being closely supervised from Raipur by the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), underscoring its national security significance.
In a major haul, forces recovered over 150 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Maoists to sabotage the operation. Officials confirmed that the entire Karregutta region is now under a tight security cordon. With new tactical teams replacing earlier units, the operation is progressing in phases, with long-term control strategies now being implemented.
Plans are already underway to establish a permanent CRPF base camp on the hilltop to prevent Maoist regrouping. The operation has also utilised helicopters and drones for aerial reconnaissance, which led to the identification of underground Maoist hideouts, tunnel routes, and ammunition dumps.
In the midst of these developments, Abhay, the official spokesperson of the Maoist Central Committee, released a statement appealing to the central and state governments to initiate peace talks. The plea comes even as combing operations intensify, indicating growing pressure on the insurgent ranks.
Operation Kagar is now being viewed as one of the most strategically coordinated and high-impact anti-Maoist missions in the region, with its outcome likely to shape the next phase of counterinsurgency policy in central India.