SAA event in Maharashtra, Gadchiroli District area, India on Sat 23rd May 2026

Four Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, including two women, carrying a collective bounty of INR 1.8 million, were killed by Security Force (SF) personnel along the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on May 23, reports The Hindu. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal said that the slain cadres were active in Maharashtra and the forces had another gun battle with them ten days ago. “Based on credible intelligence received about the presence of Maoist formations on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border near the recently opened FOB [Forward Operating Base] Kawande, an operation led by Additional SP Ramesh and 12 C-60 parties (300 commandoes) and a component of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) was launched yesterday noon from Kawande and Nelgunda towards the bank of the Indravati [river] amidst heavy rain in the area,” said a statement from the Police. “Intermittent exchange of fire continued for almost two hours. Area search by forces has led to the recovery of 4 Maoist dead bodies, one automatic self-loading rifle, two .303 rifles and a Bharmar (country-made gun). Apart from this, walkie-talkies, camping material, Naxal literature, etc., have been seized from the spot,” it added. SP Neelotpal said that among those killed was Sannu Masa Pungati, a 35-year-old Dalam (armed squad) ‘commander’. The remaining three slain Maoists were identified as Gadchiroli residents Ashok alias Suresh Wadde (38), Karuna alias Mamta alias Tuni Paandu (21) and Chhattisgarh resident Vinjyo alias Vijyo Hoyami (25). Various cases of encounter, arson, murder, etc., have been registered against the said slain Maoists.