India, Jan. 25 -- In the first 24 days this year, security forces in Chhattisgarh have killed at least 47 Maoists, but security forces engaged in an intense campaign against the insurgents ahead of the deadline of March 31, 2026, by when the home minister has vowed to end so-called Left Wing Extremism (LWE), are primary focused on two men, Barse Deva and Hidma.

Deva and Hidma are the top two Maoist commanders, and, on January 16, they were cornered by security forces in South Bastar, but managed to escape. Still, the very fact that they are in the line of fire has brought some cheer to security officials.

"In the past one and a half years, Deva and Hidma have managed to escape at least four times by putting their junior cadres in the fr...