SAA event in Telangana, Karreguttalu, Mulugu District area, India on Thu 19th February 2026

Five Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were reportedly killed in an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) in the dense forests of Karreguttalu in Mulugu District of Telangana on February 19, reports Deccan Chronicle. The encounter took place during a joint search operation in the forest areas of Doli and Jelia villages in Venkatapuram Mandal (administrative division). The operation was part of ‘Operation Kagar-2’, security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA), Greyhounds and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), numbering around 5,000, participated in the operation in the Karregutta hillocks, considered a stronghold of the CPI-Maoist. The identities of the deceased were yet to be officially confirmed. Police sources indicated that those killed were suspected to be members of a Maoist area committee. SFs reportedly recovered automatic weapons, literature and other materials from the site. Sources said around 300 banned Maoists have remained underground in recent months after Operation Kagar. Intelligence inputs suggested that central committee member Devji, Mala Raji Reddy and senior leader Bade Chokkaram alias Damodar were suspected to be present in the Karreguttalu region.