ITBP, Chhattisgarh Police Plant Strategic Base to Choke Naxal Grip Near Maharashtra Border

Raipur, April 24 – The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Chhattisgarh Police have dug in against Naxal insurgents, setting up a Company Operating Base (COB) at Nelangur, Narayanpur, just a kilometer from the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border. The bold move aims to strangle Maoist supply lines and wrest control of the remote Abujhmad region, a long-time rebel stronghold.

Key Details of the Operation

• Location: Nelangur, Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, hugging the Maharashtra border.
• Objective: Block Naxal arms and cadre movement between Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli.
• Forces Deployed: ITBP’s 41st and 45th Battalions, backed by Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard.
• Infrastructure: Base packs drones, fortified posts, and quick-reaction teams for rapid response.

Why This Region Matters

• Naxal Heartland: Abujhmad’s dense forests are among India’s last major Naxal hubs.
• Border Pipeline: Maoists use the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra corridor to smuggle weapons and fighters.
• Recent Bloodshed: Narayanpur saw two ITBP jawans killed in an October 2024 IED blast, underscoring the area’s volatility.

Security Impact & Challenges

• Area Control: The COB tightens the noose on Naxal activity, boosting surveillance over key routes.
• Community Bridge: Plans for medical camps and outreach aim to win over tribal villagers.
• Monsoon Hurdle: Heavy rains from June to September could bog down ops in the rugged terrain.

Broader Anti-Naxal Strategy

• Smart Tactics: Drones, human intel, and tech-driven sweeps anchor the SAMADHAN doctrine.
• State Sync: First major joint COB since 2021, linking Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra forces.
• Hearts & Minds: Schools and health drives are set to counter Naxal sway over locals.

Naxal Pushback & Threats

• Rebel Warnings: Maoist posters threaten villagers against aiding the COB, stirring fear.
• IED Risks: Security teams defused two explosives near Nelangur in the past week.

What’s Next?

• Phase 2: ITBP eyes more COBs deeper in Abujhmad by late 2025 to gut Naxal core zones.
• Long Haul: Home Ministry targets slashing Bastar violence by half by 2028, blending force and development.

The Nelangur COB marks a fierce step to break Naxal hold, but the fight’s far from over. Stay tuned as security forces push deeper into rebel turf.

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