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Raipur/Jagdalpur, Nov 21 (IANS) In a powerful display of leadership and solidarity, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General (DG) Gyanendra Pratap Singh on Friday visited the newly established Tadapala Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, and reaffirmed the security force’s determination to eliminate Maoist influence.
Tadapala FOB, established after the historic ‘Operation Black Forest’ earlier this year, stands as a symbol of the dominance of security forces in the once impenetrable Karregutta hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
The 21-day operation, carried out from April to May 2025, killed 31 Maoists, destroyed over 200 hideouts and caves, and forced mass exodus, surrender and elimination from the main Maoist stronghold – a decisive blow to the Left Wing Extremism.
During his visit, DG Singh held a detailed strategic review with the field commanders, praising the coordinated efforts of CRPF’s elite 205 Cobra Commando Unit and 196 Battalion which turned the situation around in the Karregutalu area.
“The success of ‘Operation Black Forest’ has cleared key areas; now, with permanent FOBs like Tadapala, we dominate the area throughout the year,” sources quoted him as saying.
In an interactive ‘Samvad’ session, the Director General directly connected with the troops on the ground and heard their experiences and challenges.
He reiterated CRPF’s firm commitment in line with the directives of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to completely liberate Chhattisgarh and India from the Maoist threat before the deadline of March 31, 2026.
Adding further to the enthusiasm, DG Singh shared a traditional ‘Barkhana’ feast with the troops, tasting food prepared in the field kitchens.
In a rare gesture of camaraderie, he decided to spend the night at the remote FOB amid the harsh jungle conditions, sleeping with his men – a move that deeply inspired the forces operating in one of India’s most challenging counter-insurgency theatres.
“The visit underlines the pragmatic approach of the top leadership,” a senior CRPF official said.
More than 250 Maoists have been killed across the country this year and with the increase in surrenders, the end of Maoism appears closer than ever.
–IANS
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