Sun Feb 16 18:42:00 UTC 2025: ## CRPF Establishes New Base in Chhattisgarh’s Maoist Stronghold

**New Delhi, February 17, 2025** – The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has established a new forward operating base (FOB) in the heart of a Maoist-dominated area in Chhattisgarh’s south Bastar region. This strategic move, part of a larger initiative to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), places the CRPF closer to key Maoist operational centers.

The FOB, located in Pujari Kanker, Bijapur district, was set up on February 13th by the 196th and 205th CoBRA battalions, with support from other CRPF units. The area is described as remote and mountainous, housing Maoist training camps, weapons, ammunition, and supply units. The establishment of the base was not without incident; one CoBRA commando was injured in an IED blast during construction. A Maoist memorial was also demolished by the CRPF.

This is the 13th FOB established as part of the Union government’s plan to eliminate LWE by March 2026. More bases are planned before the Maoists’ annual tactical counter-offensive campaign (TCOC), which typically begins in the summer.

In addition to establishing a physical presence, the CRPF is engaging with local communities. A medical camp was conducted following the FOB’s establishment, providing treatment to 70 villagers. The CRPF aims to increase security force and administrative reach in remote areas to diminish Maoist influence. Over the past three to four years, the force has created over 40 FOBs in Chhattisgarh, with the focus concentrated in the southern Bastar region, bordering Odisha and Telangana.

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