New Delhi: In a major breakthrough for internal security, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today hailed the neutralization of six Naxalites in Odisha as a significant milestone toward a Naxal-free Bharat. The high-stakes operation in Kandhamal district led to the elimination of Ganesh Uike, a high-ranking Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), dealing a severe blow to the insurgent group’s leadership.
Taking to his official handle on X, the Home Minister’s Office described the development as a major breakthrough that brings Odisha to the threshold of becoming completely free from Naxalism. Shri Amit Shah reiterated the central government’s firm resolve to eliminate the menace from Indian soil before the 31st of March 2026.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving the Odisha Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Border Security Force (BSF). Security forces acted on specific intelligence regarding the presence of armed cadres in the dense forests of Kandhamal. Among those neutralized, Ganesh Uike was a veteran leader carrying a massive bounty of 1.1 crore on his head and was considered the architect of Maoist operations in the state.
The fall of such a senior commander is seen as a turning point in the decades-long conflict. State officials confirmed that the encounter occurred in two phases, starting Wednesday night in the Gumma forest and continuing through Thursday morning in the Chakapad area. In addition to the casualties, security personnel recovered significant caches of arms and ammunition, including INSAS rifles.
This success follows a string of recent victories for security forces and a series of surrenders by active cadres, signaling a rapid erosion of the Maoist support base. As the 2026 deadline approaches, the focus remains on intensifying operations in the remaining pockets of resistance while simultaneously pushing for developmental initiatives in formerly affected tribal regions.