THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Sept 3: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday honoured personnel of CRPF, Chhattisgarh Police, DRG and CoBRA Battalion who executed the landmark ‘Operation Black Forest’ on Karreguttalu Hill.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma were also present.
Shah lauded the troops for their bravery, calling the mission a golden chapter in the history of anti-Naxal campaigns.
‘Operation Black Forest’, carried out on May 21 in Narayanpur, saw security forces eliminate 27 Maoists, including CPI-Maoist general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, while dismantling a major base camp on Karreguttalu Hill.
Also Read- Heavy rain, thunderstorm alert across Jharkhand
He noted that the forces pressed ahead despite searing heat, difficult terrain and the constant risk of IEDs, and still succeeded in destroying the Maoists’ stronghold and supply chain.
He stressed that the Modi government will not rest until every extremist either surrenders, is captured or eliminated, and reaffirmed the target of making India Naxal-free by March 2026.
The Home Minister said Naxal violence has long blocked development in some of the country’s most backward regions, shutting schools, hospitals and government services.
With recent operations, he added, new opportunities have begun to reach over 6.5 crore people across the affected belt.
He also underlined that the government is working to improve the lives of security personnel who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
