India kills 31 rebels in 'biggest anti-Naxalism operation'

​​​​​​​By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – A total of 31 Naxal rebels were killed in a gun fight with security forces in India on Wednesday, according to an official, who described it as the “biggest anti-Naxalism operation.”

Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation took place on Karreguttalu Hill at the border between the states of Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

“It is a matter of immense pleasure that there were no casualties among the security forces during this operation,” he wrote on X.

A government statement said the bodies of 31 “uniformed Naxalites” were recovered after 21 encounters that took place in 21 days on Karreguttalu Hill.

The insurgent group draws its inspiration from far-left radical communists, supportive of Maoist political ideology. The rebels have been fighting for more than three decades in eastern and central India for what they describe as the rights of tribal people in the region.

The Indian government has claimed the insurgency will be quashed by March 2026.

Shah reiterated that "India will be Naxal-free by March 31."