Indian commandos fatally shot eight Maoist insurgents during a gun battle on Monday in eastern India, as authorities continue intensifying efforts to dismantle the long-standing rebellion.
The Maoist conflict, which has spanned several decades, has claimed over 10,000 lives. The insurgents claim to be fighting on behalf of oppressed and marginalized populations.
The latest clash erupted in the dense forests of Bokaro district, located in Jharkhand, a state known for its rich mineral deposits.
“A gunfight broke out early morning in which eight Maoists have been killed,” senior police official Surendra Kumar Jha told AFP.
Jha added that security personnel recovered several automatic firearms and explosive materials from the scene.
Government data indicated that in the past year alone, more than 400 Maoist fighters have been neutralized, with most operations concentrated in Chhattisgarh state.
India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, had stated last year that authorities aim to completely eliminate the insurgency by early 2026.
The Maoists have long advocated for land rights, employment, and equitable access to the region’s abundant natural resources for indigenous and local communities.
The movement took hold in remote areas across eastern and southern India and saw substantial growth in the early 2000s.
In response, the Indian government deployed tens of thousands of troops across what is referred to as the “Red Corridor.”
The insurgency has also resulted in numerous deadly ambushes on security forces. Notably, a roadside explosion killed at least nine soldiers in January.
