Woman Maoist Commander killed in Kanker encounter, search operations intensified

A woman Maoist commander was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district on Monday, as search operations continued in the area following intelligence inputs about Maoist presence. The slain commander has been identified as Roopi, a member of the Telugu cadre. The encounter comes just days after the state government reiterated its claim of eliminating armed Maoist insurgency by March 31, 2026.

The exchange of fire took place in the Machpalli–Aramjhora–Hiduur forest belt under the Chhotebethiya–Partapur police station area. Police said a joint search operation was launched on April 13 after receiving specific inputs about Maoist movement in the region. During the operation, security forces came under fire from Maoists, triggering a gunfight.

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After the encounter, a thorough search of the area led to the recovery of the body of a woman Maoist, identified as Roopi, an Area Committee Commander. Police said she belonged to the Telugu cadre and had been active in the Bastar region for a considerable period.

Kanker Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha said Roopi was among the remaining active members of the Telugu Maoist network in Bastar. He described her as one of the last prominent Telugu cadres operating in the region. Police further said that Roopi was the wife of Vijay Reddy, a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), who was killed in an encounter in the Mohla–Manpur area in 2025.

A pistol, ammunition, and other Maoist-related materials were recovered from the encounter site. Security forces have intensified search operations in the surrounding forest areas to track down other cadres who may have been present during the exchange of fire.

Following the operation, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P reiterated that the government continues to offer opportunities for surrender and rehabilitation to Maoist cadres. He said that a number of insurgents have already returned to the mainstream under the policy.

“Now that Maoist presence has reduced significantly, with numbers in some districts coming down to single digits, the remaining cadres should give up violence and choose a peaceful life,” he said.