On Monday, nine security personnel were killed in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh when a roadside bomb exploded, flipping their vehicle. The blast, reportedly triggered by Maoist rebels, left a deep crater in the road, as shown in media photographs.
The attack is part of the ongoing Maoist insurgency, which has claimed over 10,000 lives over the decades. The rebels, also known as Naxalites, are fighting for the rights of marginalized indigenous communities in Indiaโs central regions, rich in resources. Government forces have intensified efforts to curb the insurgency, with 287 rebels reported killed in 2024 alone.
The deadly attack occurred as the troops were returning from a recent anti-Maoist operation. A police officer and four rebels were killed in that operation. According to Vivekanand Sinha, the head of the state’s anti-Maoist operations, the vehicle struck a landmine, killing eight security personnel and a driver.
The Maoist movement, which began in 1967, was inspired by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong. The insurgency has seen varying levels of strength, but government efforts have significantly reduced the presence of the rebels in recent years. In 2024, about 1,000 Naxalites were arrested, and 837 surrendered.
Indiaโs interior minister, Amit Shah, has warned the Maoists to surrender or face a full-scale government offensive, with the aim of ending the insurgency by 2026. The government’s military response has led to significant territorial restrictions on the rebels, alongside investments in infrastructure and social programs to reduce the appeal of the Naxalite movement.
