Major Blow to Maoist Insurgency in Abujmarh as Security Forces Eliminate Top Leader
In a significant development for counter-insurgency operations in central India, security forces have delivered a decisive blow to the last remaining Maoist stronghold in the fallen guerrilla headquarters of Abujmarh. During an intense 72-hour operation deep within the dense forests, elite C-60 commandos of the Gadchiroli Police neutralized a hardened People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) leader, Prabhakar, along with three female and three male cadres.
Operation Details and Casualties
The operation, which escalated dramatically in its final 48 hours, resulted in seven rebel casualties. However, the security forces also suffered a tragic loss. Commando Deepak Chinna Madavi, aged 38, sustained a critical bullet wound to his chest while neutralizing two heavily armed guerrillas in close-quarters combat. Despite being airlifted to Bhamragad sub-district hospital while profusely bleeding, he succumbed to his injuries. Another wounded jawan, Joga Madavi, is reportedly responding well to treatment and is expected to recover.
Profile of the Neutralized Leader
The elimination of Prabhakar marks a substantial victory for security forces. According to top intelligence sources, Prabhakar was a highly experienced and dangerous operative who had engineered at least 60 ambushes against police personnel over three decades. He carried a substantial bounty of ₹25 lakh on his head and held key organizational positions, including charge of the Gadchiroli division committee and the feared Company No. 10.
Originally from Kamareddy in Telangana, Prabhakar's history reveals a complex trajectory. He was initially part of a 61-member surrender group led by former Maoist ideologue Bhupathi. However, in a dramatic turn of events last September, he managed to slip away from the surrender convoy along with five other rebels. Since then, he had successfully evaded capture despite mounting pressure from intensified security operations.
Weapons Recovered and Operational Impact
The firepower recovered from the encounter site underscores the heavily armed nature of the Maoist group. Security forces seized three AK-47 rifles, one Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), and one .303 rifle. While Prabhakar has been positively identified, the names of the other slain cadres are still being verified by authorities.
This operation has effectively dismantled what was considered the last active Maoist pocket in the Abujmarh region. Authorities have confirmed that, following this action, only two more Maoist guerrillas remain officially on record in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, signaling a potential turning point in the long-standing insurgency in the area.
Honors for the Fallen Hero
The deceased C-60 commando, Deepak Madavi, was accorded full state honors at a solemn ceremony held at the Gadchiroli police headquarters on Friday. His body was subsequently transported to his native village of Aheri for the final rites and cremation, with the police force and local community paying their respects to the brave soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
