NATIONAL: Maoist Leader Nambala Kesava Rao Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter
Maoist General Secretary Eliminated in Operation Black Forest
In a significant blow to the Maoist insurgency, Nambala Kesava Rao, 70, the General Secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist), was killed in an intense gun battle with security forces in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh. Rao, also known by multiple aliases including Basava Raju, had a bounty of ₹1.5 crore on his head. His death was confirmed following a massive operation in which 27 Maoists were neutralized on Wednesday morning.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the development on social media platform X, hailing it as a landmark victory in India’s decades-long battle against Naxalism.
“Milestone Victory Against Naxalism” – Amit Shah
“This marks the first time in over three decades that a Maoist General Secretary has been eliminated. The death of Basava Raju, the strategic head and ideological enforcer of the Naxal movement, is a turning point,” Shah stated.
Highlighting the scope of Operation Black Forest, Shah revealed:
- 27 Maoists killed
- 54 arrested across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra
- 84 have surrendered
He reiterated the central government’s objective to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
The Rise of a Rebel: From Engineering to Extremism
Born in 1955 in Jiyyannapet village, Kotabommali mandal, Srikakulam district (Andhra Pradesh), Kesava Rao hailed from a humble background. His father was a schoolteacher. After early schooling in his native village and Tekkali, he pursued a B.Tech degree at REC Warangal, where he became deeply involved in radical student politics.
In 1984, mid-way through his M.Tech studies, Rao abandoned academics to join the People’s War Group (CPI-ML). He disappeared underground, never to return home again, dedicating over four decades to the armed Maoist cause.
Multiple Identities, Singular Mission
Rao operated under numerous aliases such as Basavaraju, Krishna, Ganganna, Prakash, Umesh, Vijay, Darapu Narasimha Reddy, and more. He succeeded Muppala Lakshmana Rao (Ganapathi) as General Secretary in November 2018, assuming command of the organization’s ideological and military wings.
Unlike Ganapathi, Rao was known for his ruthless strategic discipline and uncompromising adherence to Maoist doctrine.
Mastermind Behind High-Profile Attacks
As head of the Central Military Commission, Rao was the principal architect of multiple deadly assaults. His military acumen, relationship with arms suppliers, and expertise in guerrilla warfare made him a feared figure.
Key attacks attributed to Rao include:
- 2003 Alipiri Attack on former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
- 2010 Chintalnar Ambush, where 74 CRPF jawans were killed
- 2013 Darbha Ghati Attack, resulting in the death of Congress leader Mahendra Karma and 27 others
According to senior security officials, Rao believed in achieving political goals through armed resistance and brutal efficiency.
Strategic Implications of Rao’s Death
Security analysts believe that Rao’s death could significantly destabilize the CPI (Maoist) leadership. Given his dual role as both supreme commander and military strategist, the loss may lead to factionalism, disrupted chain of command, and decreased morale among cadres.
However, officials caution that the movement’s ideological roots remain intact, and retaliation or regrouping attempts cannot be ruled out.