In the dense forests of the Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh border, Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the state police united in a joint operation to neutralize three top Naxalites. Meanwhile, a simultaneous operation near the Sukma border eradicated two more Naxal militants, including zonal committee member Arun.
The joint operation against the Naxalites, as explained by the police, began upon receiving intelligence reports on Tuesday evening about Naxalite presence in the area. Following this information, Andhra police commenced a search operation in the Maridumilli forests. Before 8:30 AM on Wednesday, Naxalites initiated gunfire near Kondamodalu village on the Greyhounds. This encounter led to the elimination of three Naxalites, and three AK-47 rifles were retrieved from the scene. The bodies of the deceased Naxalites were sent for post-mortem.
Three Top Naxals Eliminated
According to police reports, Wednesday's encounter in Kondamodalu, Alluri Sitarama Raju district, witnessed the elimination of three top-ranking Naxalite leaders: Gajarla Ravi alias Uday (Central Committee Member and AOBSZC Secretary), Ravi Venkata Chaitanya alias Aruna (Southern Zonal Committee Member and recently deceased Central Committee Member Chalapathi's spouse), and Anju (Area Committee Member, AOBSZC). The elimination of these Naxalites is a significant setback to the AOBSZC and Naxal operations in the region.
Police sources indicate a group of 16 Naxalites was observed in the area. The encounter with security forces lasted approximately 25 minutes. Three bodies were recovered on the spot as the remaining Naxal elements escaped, prompting a continued search operation.
In an additional confrontation near the Sukma border of Chhattisgarh, security forces succeeded in eliminating two Naxal militants, including Zonal Committee Member Arun. Two AK-47 rifles were also recovered from the Naxalites. The operation remains ongoing.
Who is Gajarla Ravi?
Gajarla Ravi, also known as Uday, hailed from Velishala village in Telangana's Bhupalpally district. A notable Naxal leader in the area, a bounty of 2.5 million rupees was placed on him by the security forces. He was not only a Central Committee Member but also the Secretary of the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC).
Ravi embarked on his Naxalite journey in 1992 at the age of 23, swiftly ascending to leadership positions due to his strategic acumen.
During 2004-05, he partook in peace talks with the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government as a representative of the People's War Group. He served as the secretary of divisions like Malkangiri-Koraput-Srikakulam and coordinated Naxal activities across eastern regions. His strategic and military planning, particularly in guerrilla warfare and the use of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), was critical to Naxalite operations.
Who is Aruna?
Aruna, the widow of the recently neutralized senior Naxal leader Chalapathi, and a South Zonal Committee Member (SZCM), hailed from Karaka Vani Palem in Visakhapatnam district. The security forces had placed a bounty of 2 million rupees on her head. Aruna played a vital role in the Naxalite women's wing and in their military operations.
