Naxalism in Gadchiroli: A History of Conflict and Key Turning Points

Nestled among dense forests and rugged terrain, lies Gadchiroli, a district in Vidarbha at the centre of one of India’s longest-running internal conflicts.

For decades, this remote region has witnessed a battle between armed insurgents and security forces, with the local tribal population caught in the middle.

What began as an ideological movement in a different part of the country slowly took root in these forests, shaping a conflict that has spanned generations.

The evolution of Naxalism in Gadchiroli is a gripping account of strategy, warfare, and shifting power dynamics that continue to define the region today.

The Growth of Naxalism in Gadchiroli

The expansion of Naxalite activity in Gadchiroli was not a sudden development but a result of gradual infiltration, strategic planning, and shifting political landscapes.

Though the movement began in West Bengal’s Naxalbari in 1967, its influence eventually spread to Maharashtra, with Gadchiroli becoming one of its strongest operational zones.

The district’s remote forests, difficult terrain, and limited administrative presence created conditions that allowed Maoist groups to establish themselves without immediate resistance.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Naxalite groups moved into the region with a clear strategy to gain a foothold by exploiting local grievances.

The tribal population, which formed a large part of the district’s demographics, had long struggled with land rights issues, economic hardships, and minimal access to government services. The Maoists presented themselves as defenders of these communities, using a combination of persuasion and coercion to build support.

One of the key methods employed was the formation of armed squads known as dalams. These groups, often consisting of highly trained fighters, moved through villages, offering ideological lessons while also enforcing their own rules. Over time, they created strongholds in the district, setting up parallel administrative structures that operated independently of government control.

Recruitment became a major focus, with young individuals drawn into the movement through a mix of ideological teachings and promises of empowerment.

Many who joined saw it as a way to challenge the existing system, while others had little choice, given the pressure exerted by insurgents on local communities. Training camps were established deep in the forests, where new members were taught combat skills, survival tactics, and the use of explosives.

By the early 2000s, the Maoists had developed an organised structure in Gadchiroli, moving beyond isolated attacks to a coordinated network of armed units. Their ability to carry out sophisticated operations was evident in ambushes that targeted security personnel and government infrastructure. Police stations, road construction projects, and administrative offices became frequent targets as the insurgents sought to disrupt state presence in the district.

The movement’s strength in the region was not just about armed conflict but also about control over daily life.

Insurgents imposed their own justice system, holding public meetings in villages where they issued warnings and punishments.

They regulated land disputes, enforced strict codes of conduct, and even dictated agricultural activities in some areas. The absence of consistent law enforcement allowed them to operate without immediate pushback, strengthening their grip on the population.

The flow of resources was another factor that sustained their presence. With links to Maoist strongholds in neighbouring states, insurgents were able to access weapons, medical supplies, and logistical support. The dense forests of Gadchiroli provided natural routes for transporting these materials without detection. Coordination with groups in Chhattisgarh and Telangana ensured that their operations remained connected to the broader Maoist movement across central India.

Despite several crackdowns, the Maoists adapted their strategies, making it difficult to eliminate their presence. Each major encounter with security forces led to a temporary setback, but new leaders emerged to fill the void.

The movement’s resilience was reflected in its ability to shift tactics, alternating between high-intensity attacks and periods of reduced activity to avoid complete annihilation.

As counter-insurgency operations intensified, security forces began dismantling networks that had taken decades to build.

Encounters led to the elimination of key commanders, disrupting chains of command. Increased intelligence gathering helped authorities track movements, making it harder for insurgents to regroup. By the late 2010s and early 2020s, the Maoists faced increasing pressure, with recruitment slowing and operational zones shrinking.

The Geography and Its Role in the Conflict

Gadchiroli’s landscape has played a defining role in shaping the course of Naxalite activity in the region. With its dense forests, rolling hills, and winding rivers, the district provides a natural setting that has long favoured guerrilla warfare.

The rugged terrain, difficult to navigate for outsiders, has allowed insurgents to move undetected, set up hidden camps, and launch surprise attacks on security forces.

The region’s thick vegetation not only provided cover but has also complicated efforts to track down and eliminate insurgent groups.

Situated on the border of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, Gadchiroli connects several areas where Maoist activity has been prevalent.

This location has made it a crucial link between different operational zones. The district has served as a transit route for movement between states, enabling Naxalite leaders to coordinate activities, shift personnel, and transport supplies without drawing immediate attention. The cross-border nature of the conflict has posed challenges for security forces, as insurgents could easily retreat into neighbouring territories after carrying out attacks.

The forests of Gadchiroli are among the most remote in Maharashtra, with some villages deep within these areas remaining largely isolated from administrative reach for years. The lack of road networks and communication infrastructure has made these pockets difficult to access, delaying security responses and making operations against insurgents more complex. The terrain has also allowed Maoist groups to establish bases that functioned as command centres, where they planned ambushes and trained recruits in combat tactics.

Rivers crisscrossing the district have added another layer of difficulty for security operations.

Seasonal changes in water levels affect movement, with monsoon months turning certain areas into inaccessible zones, restricting the mobility of security personnel while giving insurgents an advantage. During the dry months, riverbeds have been used as pathways for quick movement through forested areas, helping groups evade detection. These natural routes have been a key element in sustaining their presence in the region.

Hilly terrain, combined with forest density, has given Maoist groups an edge in planning attacks. Elevated vantage points have been used to monitor approaching forces, allowing insurgents to anticipate movements and set up traps. Ambushes often carried out on roads winding through the forests, have been among the most effective tactics used by Naxalites.

Explosive devices buried along these routes have inflicted heavy losses on security personnel, making road travel a constant risk.

The difficult geography has also limited the large-scale deployment of security forces in some parts of the district. While increased patrolling and intelligence gathering have helped weaken insurgent operations in recent years, the landscape continues to influence how battles are fought.

Encounters between security personnel and insurgents have often taken place in dense forests, where visibility is low, making such operations physically and strategically demanding.

Key Events and Their Impact

The conflict in Gadchiroli has been shaped by a series of violent encounters, strategic offensives, and targeted attacks that defined the battle between Naxalites and security forces. These incidents spread across decades, highlight the evolving nature of the insurgency and the continuous efforts to counter it.

One of the most significant attacks occurred on 1 May 2019, when Naxalites executed a meticulously planned ambush using an improvised explosive device. Sixteen security personnel lost their lives in the explosion, making it one of the deadliest strikes in the district.

The attack took place when a convoy of the Quick Response Team was heading to a site where insurgents had torched construction vehicles. The explosion, followed by gunfire from the surrounding forests, underscored the tactical capabilities of the Maoist groups operating in the region.

Another large-scale assault took place when 17 police personnel, including a senior officer, were killed in an ambush. The attackers targeted a police station in Gadchiroli, a strategy aimed at demonstrating their ability to strike at the heart of law enforcement. The scale of the attack sent shockwaves through security agencies, prompting a reassessment of counter-insurgency strategies in the district.

In response to these escalating threats, security forces launched a series of operations designed to weaken the Maoist stronghold.

One of the most notable offensives took place in April 2018 when a coordinated effort led to twin encounters resulting in the deaths of more than 40 insurgents. Among those killed were several key commanders who had been instrumental in planning and executing attacks in the region. This operation disrupted the Maoist network, dealing a serious blow to their leadership structure.

The crackdown continued with another high-impact encounter in November 2021, when security forces engaged in a prolonged battle that lasted ten hours.

By the end of the confrontation, 26 insurgents had been killed, including senior Maoist leader Milind Teltumbde.

His death marked a turning point in the conflict, as he had been a key strategist and held significant influence within the movement. The loss of such a senior figure disrupted coordination among various Maoist groups and further weakened their operational capacity.

Security forces maintained their pressure with additional operations in 2024. On 18 July, an encounter near the Chhattisgarh border resulted in the elimination of 12 Maoists, including five women fighters. Three security personnel sustained injuries, but the operation successfully dismantled two entire dalams that had been active in the region. Intelligence reports later confirmed that those killed carried a collective cash reward of Rs 86 lakh, highlighting their importance within the insurgent ranks.

Beyond direct combat, security forces also targeted the logistical infrastructure that supported Maoist activity.

In March 2020, an arms manufacturing unit was discovered and dismantled along the Gadchiroli border.

The facility had been used to produce weapons and explosives, supplying insurgents with the necessary firepower for future operations. The destruction of this unit marked a significant step in cutting off the supply chain that had sustained the movement for years.

Another critical development came in January 2025, when a senior Maoist leader, Tarakka, surrendered alongside ten other insurgents.

Tarakka had been active in the movement for 34 years and held a leadership position in the Dandakaranya Zonal Committee. His decision to surrender reflected the increasing pressure on Maoist groups, as sustained counter-insurgency operations made it difficult for them to operate as freely as before.

The government’s rehabilitation policies played a role in these surrenders, offering financial assistance and safety to those willing to abandon the insurgency.

The Present Situation and Its Changing Landscape

Recent developments indicate a steady decline in Naxalite activity in Gadchiroli. By early 2025, government officials declared significant portions of the district free from insurgent control. Increased intelligence-driven operations, combined with a focus on cutting off supply chains, have contributed to this shift.

Statistics suggest a downward trend, with 24 insurgents killed, 18 arrested, and 27 surrendering within a single year leading up to 2025.

The movement’s ability to recruit new members has also been affected, with reports stating that no young individuals from the region had joined the Maoists in the past four years. This development points to a fundamental weakening of the insurgency’s grip on local communities.

Parallel to military efforts, developmental initiatives have gained traction. Large-scale investments in infrastructure, industry, and education are reshaping the district.

New industrial plants, healthcare centres, and employment programmes have been introduced to create economic alternatives for locals.

Mining projects, designed with sustainability in mind, aim to provide long-term employment opportunities.

Gadchiroli’s history with Naxalism is a complex account of conflict, ideology, and shifting realities. The district, once a stronghold of left-wing extremism, has witnessed significant changes due to persistent counter-insurgency operations and evolving local dynamics.

While the intensity of the conflict has subsided, the past reminds us that these shifts are never static.

The forces that shaped this insurgency have altered over time, but the region’s transformation is an ongoing process. It continues to unfold as security strategies and developmental efforts reshape its future.