Recently, security forces conducted Operation Black Forest to meet the 2026 target of a Naxal-free India.

About Operation Black Forest

• Operation Black Forest was a joint operation between the CRPF and state police and was executed in 21 Days  making it the longest continuous anti-Naxal campaign.
• Location: It was launched near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH), a Naxal stronghold at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
• • The Ghalgam Forward Operating Base, established in 2022, served as the strategic command centre for the operation.
• Community Integration: Security forces engaged with local communities, ensuring delivery of welfare schemes and breaking Naxal support networks through trust-building and outreach efforts.

About Naxalism

• Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, is an armed movement inspired by Maoist ideology, seeking to overthrow the democratic state through violent revolution.

• Historical Background: It began with the Naxalbari uprising in 1967 in West Bengal and spread across the “Red Corridor” which is mostly in tribal and forested belts in central and eastern India.
• Present-Day Objectives: Despite their claims to fight for tribal rights, Naxalites have used extortion, child recruitment, and violence. The government now targets complete eradication of Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Campaigns to Curb Naxalism

Soft Approach: Development and Empowerment

• The Home Minister enunciated an operational strategy ‘SAMADHAN’ to fight Left Wing Extremism in 2017.
• Special Central Assistance (SCA): ₹3,563 crore released since 2017 to bridge infrastructure gaps in the most-affected districts.
• Civic Action Programme (CAP): Deployed CAPFs conduct health camps, distribute essentials, and build trust with locals (₹196.23 crore spent).
• Telecom Connectivity: 10,505 towers sanctioned; over 7,768 already functional.
• Financial Inclusion: 1,007 bank branches, 937 ATMs, 5,731 post offices, and 37,850 banking correspondents established.
• Skill and Education: 48 ITIs, 61 SDCs, and 178 Eklavya Model Residential Schools launched in affected areas.
• Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (2024): Targeting saturation of basic services in 15,000 tribal villages benefiting 1.5 crore citizens.

Hard Approach: Offensive Security Operations

• Fortified Police Stations: Expanded from 66 in 2014 to 612 by 2024.
• Dedicated Forces: 6 new CRPF battalions, 15 joint task forces, and 280 new security camps deployed.
• National Investigation Agency & ED Action: Over ₹1,000 crore in funds choked via money laundering and terror funding cases.
• Security-Related Expenditure (SRE): ₹3,260 crore spent on training, logistics, and ex-gratia payments since 2014.

Large-scale Neutralisations: In 2024 alone, 290 Naxals neutralized, 1,090 arrested, and 881 surrendered.

Challenges in Complete Eradication of LWE

• Geographic Terrain: Dense forests, hilly regions (e.g., Dandakaranya, Bastar) provide natural cover for insurgents.
• Residual Hotbeds: Districts like Sukma, Bijapur, and West Singhbhum still report active Maoist presence.
• Ideological Appeal: Maoist propaganda continues to exploit tribal alienation, poverty, and land rights issues.
• Threat to Security: Improvised Explosive Devices remain the biggest threat to security forces and rural connectivity.
• Inter-State Border Management: Porous forested borders among Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra allow cross-border movement.
• Lack of Local Trust: In some areas, fear of retaliation or past human rights violations hinders community cooperation.
• Funding and Urban Support: Naxalites receive logistical support, funds, and ideological backing from urban sympathisers.

Way Forward

• Saturation Governance: Ensure 100% coverage of welfare schemes for healthcare, education, ration, housing, roads, and internet in all affected villages.
• Targeted De-Radicalisation: Use counselling, employment, and civic reintegration for surrendered cadres.
• Persistent Security Operations: Seamless intelligence-sharing, joint task forces, night landing helipads, and drones to monitor forest zones.
• Financial Disruption: Strengthen ED/NIA action to disrupt Maoist finances through PMLA and terror-funding laws.
• Judicial Reforms: Set up fast-track courts, increase legal aid, and simplify surrender and rehabilitation procedures.
• Civic Confidence Building: Expand Civic Action Programmes, CAPF outreach, and youth engagement through sports and education.
  

Conclusion

India’s coordinated military and developmental approach has decisively shifted the fight against Naxalism. With continued vigilance, community engagement, and political resolve, the goal of a Naxalism-free India by March 31, 2026, is not only possible but well within reach.

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