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Security forces scored a major success in their anti-naxal operations as new was confirmed by none other than the union home minister Amit Shah that six Naxalites, including Ganesh Uike were eliminated on Thursday the 25th of December 2025.

The notorious naxal carried a bounty of Rs 1.1 crore on his head.

Following a breakthrough tip-off about the sighting of outlawed anti-nationals, security forces launched their massive operations and were successful ion neutralising all six naxals in Kandhamal district of Odisha.

Ganesh Uike was a key leader in the banned CPI (Maoist) and carried a long history of orchestrating attacks against security personnel and civilians.

The union home minister Amit Shah in a message on  ‘X’ applauded security forces and asserted that the government is determined to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.

According to officials, the encounter took place during a coordinated anti-Naxal operation launched on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed cadres in the forested region of Kandhamal.Security forces recovered arms, ammunition and other materials from the site, indicating the group’s involvement in multiple violent incidents in the region.

Odisha, along with parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Telangana, have been badly affected by Left-Wing Extremism.

The Union government has been pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to counter naxalism, combining strong security measures with development initiatives, including improved road connectivity, mobile networks, banking access, and welfare delivery in affected regions.

The establishment of forward operating bases and enhanced inter-state coordination have further strengthened counter-insurgency efforts.

The home ministry officials said the latest operation in Kandhamal underscores the effectiveness of this approach.

With the neutralisation of senior leadership and shrinking operational space for naxal groups, authorities believe that state of Odisha is very close to be declared free from Left-Wing Extremism, marking a crucial step towards the Centre’s larger goal of eradicating Naxalism nationwide within the stipulated timeline.