India, July 15 -- Intensified anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar since January have forced the Maoists in India's Maoism hotspot to reconstitute smaller units, hide in inaccessible areas in and around the inhospitable terrain of Indravati National Park, abandon military attire, and live among residents, people aware of the matter said.

Around 20,000 security forces have been deployed in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra for the operations. In 2024, 217 Maoists were killed. By mid-2025, the number rose to approximately 460. Security forces dealt a major blow to the Left-wing insurgency by killing Maoist chief Nambala Kesava Rao alias Basvaraju on May 20 in Chhattisgarh's Dandakaranya. The government has set a target of eliminating...