Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough against Left Wing Extremism, Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania on Thursday announced that security forces have neutralised four Naxals, including Ganesh Uike, a Central Committee member of the CPI (Maoist), during an ongoing joint anti-Naxal operation along the Ganjam district border.
Addressing the media, the DGP said Ganesh Uike was the head of Maoist operations in Odisha and played a pivotal role in coordinating insurgent activities in the state. “This morning, the Odisha Police and security forces achieved a major success by eliminating four Naxals, including Ganesh Uike. His neutralisation has broken the backbone of Maoist terror in Odisha and is expected to bring about a significant change in the Maoist situation in the state,” Khurania said.
He confirmed that the operation is still underway, with security forces maintaining a strong presence in the region to ensure area domination and prevent any regrouping of extremist elements. Detailed combing and search operations are being carried out in the forested border areas as a precautionary measure.
The DGP further said the operation aligns with the national objective of eliminating Maoism, as outlined by Union Home Minister Narendra Modi, who has set a target to end Left Wing Extremism in the country by March 2026. “Following the call given by the Union Home Minister to end Maoism by March 2026, the Odisha Police is working with full dedication to achieve this objective at the earliest. I am fully confident that our forces will succeed,” he added.
Security officials described the killing of a senior Central Committee leader as a significant setback to Maoist leadership and operational capabilities in Odisha, particularly in the southern districts that have witnessed sporadic extremist activity in recent years.
Further details regarding recoveries, identification of the other neutralised Naxals, and the progress of the operation are expected to be shared by the police after the conclusion of the ongoing mission.
