Security forces have achieved major success in anti-Maoist operations. 16 Naxalites lost their lives during a clash with security forces in Gariaband, Chhattisgarh. Among them was a significant Naxal leader known as Jairam, or Chalpati, who had a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. The Chhattisgarh Police reported that Jairam was part of the Central Committee of Naxalites and posed a considerable threat to security forces. He was the mastermind behind several major attacks in and around Chhattisgarh.
Jairam Reddy hailed from Andhra Pradesh. His real name, Chalapathi, is believed to be Jayaram Reddy, and he was also referred to as Ramachandra Reddy Apparao or Ramu within the Naxalite group. Reddy, who lived in Matempalli village in Chittoor district, had only completed his 10th grade education. The elimination of Chalapathi marks a significant achievement for the police and security forces, potentially delivering a substantial blow to the Naxalite network. Identifying leaders like Jayaram can be quite difficult for security forces, as they often hide in remote forests and hard-to-reach areas.
Due to ongoing encounters and intensified operations by security forces in the Abujhmad region, many Naxalite leaders have been compelled to relocate. Consequently, Chalpati moved his hideout to the Gariaband-Odisha border. He was a key figure in the Naxalite organization, leading numerous attacks. Chalpati was particularly active in the dense and inaccessible Abujhmad forests of Bastar in Chhattisgarh.
Security guards were stationed to ensure safety. Chalpati carried advanced weapons like an AK-47 and SLR for his own protection. To counter the constant threats in the Abujhmad area, around 8 to 10 guards were assigned to him.
During a recent encounter, security forces managed to seize a large stash of weapons from the Naxalites. They found a significant amount of arms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including an SLR. This operation aimed at Maoist insurgents was initiated based on intelligence reports that highlighted a notable Maoist presence in the Kularighat Reserve Forest of Chhattisgarh, which is only about five kilometers from the Odisha border.
A collaborative team of security personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Cobra unit from Chhattisgarh, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) from Odisha took part in the mission.