300 Maoists Neutralized in First 5 Months of 2025

IN the first five months of 2025, security forces have neutralized nearly 300 Naxalites, marking the fastest annual pace of elimination of left-extremists since 2009—the year which witnessed Maoist violence and neutralization peak—officials said on Thursday.

- MUKESH RANJAN @ New Delhi

They said with sight set to completely eliminate Naxalism in the country by March 31, 2026, the recent successes achieved by security forces indicate that they have attained the required momentum and are on the right direction.

According to the officials, it was in 2009 that security forces could cross the 300 mark in eliminating Naxal operatives, a senior security official said, adding, "Then 314 left extremists were killed, but that was in the whole year. If the current pace continues, 2025 could mark the most successful year in the decades-old battle against Naxals."