Chhattisgarh ex-DGP DM Awasthi calls top Maoist Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju’s killing ‘historic’ success

Hailing the success of security forces in killing top Maoist Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju as a ‘historic’ achievement, former Chhattisgarh Police chief D.M. Awasthi described it as the first gun-battle ever in which a general secretary-level rebel has been killed.

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In an exclusive interaction with IANS, the former Director General of Police also praised the intelligence input that led to the operation, claiming that the government seems on track to end Maoism much earlier than the March 31, 2026, deadline.

Excerpts of the interview:

IANS: How do you see this entire anti-Maoist operation, which resulted in the killing of Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju in Abujhmarh forests?

Awasthi: I believe Wednesday's anti-Maoist operation is the most successful ever in the history of Chhattisgarh. To date, no Maoist of the level of ‘General Secretary’ has ever been killed in an encounter in the state.

The level at which operations have taken place in the last year, including Wednesday's operation, should be called a milestone or a record. This is a big success.

IANS: Considering that Basavaraju lived under a heavy security cover and was under the protection of about 50 Maoists. What kind of challenges would have been in taking him down?