In a major breakthrough as part of anti-Naxal operations in India, the Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra along with the CRPF has nabbed five hardcore Maoists, including four women, who were collectively carried a reward of Rs 36 lakh on them, police said.
They were planning a major attack in the Binagunda forest area, police said on Tuesday.
Among the five held, three senior Maoists were arrested, including one Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and one Area Committee Member (ACM), along with two other armed members, police officials said.
The police said that it has seized seven weapons, including one automatic SLR rifle, one .303 rifle, three single-shot rifles, and two country-made guns.
According to the officials, the operation was carried out during the Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) period, a time when Maoist activity traditionally increases. Acting on confidential intelligence, C-60 commando teams and CRPF’s 37 Battalion ‘A’ Company were deployed to the Binagunda area under Laheri police limits on 18 May 2025.
On the morning of May 19, the teams surrounded the village and tactfully detained five Maoists without opening fire, as local civilians were also present, officials said.
Those held by the police in the operation were identified as Ungi Mangru Hoyam alias Sumli (DVCM, Platoon 32), 28, carrying a reward of Rs 16 lakh, Pallavi Kesa Midiyam alias Bandi (PPCM, Platoon 32), 19, having a reward of Rs 8 lakh, Deve Kosa Podiyam alias Sabita (Member, Platoon 32), 19, having a reward of Rs 4 lakh on her and two other armed Maoist members – jointly carried Rs 8 lakh in rewards on them, police said.
Senior officers including Special IG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sandeep Patil, DIG Ankita Goyal, SP Nilotpal, CRPF DIG Ajay Kumar Sharma, and other top officials led and coordinated the operation.
SP Nilotpal has vowed to intensify anti-Maoist operations in the region and has urged Maoists to surrender and rejoin society with dignity under the government’s rehabilitation policy.
Police said that all five are active Maoist operatives involved in various anti-national activities including attacks on security forces and destruction of government property. While three have been formally arrested, two others — believed to be minors — have been taken into protective custody for further legal verification and presented before the Juvenile Justice Board.
The police said that it has also recovered three wireless sets and other Maoist supplies.
The Maharashtra government had declared a total reward of Rs 36 lakh for the capture of the five Maoists.
With this action, the Gadchiroli police have now arrested 103 Maoists since January 2022.