Odisha Maoist Encounter: Senior Maoist Leader Ganesh Uike Killed in Kandhamal Operation

Kandhamal: Security forces eliminated senior CPI (Maoist) leader Ganesh Uike, aged 69, along with three other Maoist cadres during an armed Odisha Maoist Encounter in the Chakapad region of Kandhamal district in Odisha. Uike, who carried a reward of ₹1.1 crore, was a central committee member of the banned outfit and had been overseeing Maoist operations in the state for several years. Among the four Maoists killed in the exchange of fire were two female cadres, officials confirmed.

Based on actionable intelligence, a coordinated operation was launched in the Rambha forest range involving 23 joint teams drawn from the Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Border Security Force (BSF). The encounter took place in dense forest terrain, a known Maoist stronghold, underscoring the strategic importance of the operation for internal security in the region.

Odisha Maoist Encounter: How the Operation Unfolded

Officials stated that the joint security teams began advancing into the forest area early in the morning following precise intelligence inputs. At approximately 9 am, Maoist cadres opened indiscriminate fire on the security personnel. The forces immediately retaliated, leading to a prolonged and intense exchange of gunfire between both sides.

As the firing subsided, four Maoists were found dead at the encounter site. Ganesh Uike was identified among the deceased based on documents and intelligence records. A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of two INSAS rifles and one .303 rifle, indicating the armed strength of the Maoist group operating in the region.

Profile of Ganesh Uike and His Role in Maoist Activities

Ganesh Uike was a native of Nalgonda district in Telangana and had emerged as one of the most influential Maoist leaders operating in eastern India. According to senior police officials, he had been instrumental in directing and coordinating Maoist activities across Odisha for several years, making him a high-value target for security agencies.

His elimination is being viewed as a significant operational success, as Uike was involved in planning ambushes, recruitment drives, and logistics management for Maoist units active in the state. Authorities described his death as a major disruption to the organisational structure of the CPI (Maoist) in Odisha.

Odisha Maoist Encounter Marks Second Major Incident This Year

This encounter marks the second major Maoist operation in Odisha in 2025. With four Maoists killed in this incident, the total Maoist death toll in the state this year has now risen to four. Security officials said the outcome reflects increased operational efficiency and intelligence-led action against left-wing extremism.

Senior police officers termed the encounter a decisive blow to Maoist networks in Kandhamal and surrounding districts, which have long been affected by insurgency-related violence. The operation has also boosted morale among security forces deployed in Maoist-affected regions.

Centre’s March 2026 Deadline and Ongoing Search Operations

Authorities reiterated that the central government has set a nationwide deadline of March 2026 to completely eliminate left-wing extremism. Intensified operations in Odisha form a crucial part of this broader counter-insurgency strategy, given the state’s strategic location and forest cover.

Meanwhile, security forces have continued combing and area-domination operations in the Rambha forest range to track down any remaining Maoist cadres who may have fled during the encounter. Officials confirmed that heightened vigilance will remain in place to prevent regrouping or retaliatory attacks.

(The content is sourced from agencies and has not been edited by mtimes.co.in.)