Sun Apr 27 23:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Anti-Naxal Operation in Telangana Yields Limited Results Despite Intensive Search
**Cherla, Telangana:** A major anti-Naxal operation, codenamed “Operation Karri Guttal,” conducted over five days in the dense forests bordering Telangana and Chhattisgarh, has yielded limited results despite the deployment of thousands of security personnel and advanced technology.
The operation, involving around 5,000 personnel from DRG, Cobra, CRPF, STF, and Bastar Fighters, began on Tuesday. Security forces used drones, helicopters, and rocket launchers in an attempt to flush out a reported large number of Maoists believed to be hiding in the Karri Guttal hills. Initial reports suggested the presence of hundreds, even thousands, of Maoists, but this number appears to have been inflated.
While three female Maoists were reportedly killed in an encounter on the third day, their bodies have not been recovered, and details remain unconfirmed. A significant cave or tunnel system was discovered on Saturday night, prompting speculation that many Maoists may have escaped prior to the commencement of the operation. A video purportedly showing Maoists within this cave has surfaced on social media.
The intense heat and challenging terrain have taken their toll on the security forces. Over 40 degree Celsius temperatures led to several jawans suffering heat stroke. Concerns are now rising that the operation may be temporarily suspended due to the exhaustion of personnel. Reports of the operation potentially being prolonged with the establishment of two new camps in the Karri Guttal area are also circulating.
Despite the extensive search, the exact number of Maoists present and their current location remain unclear, with speculation that the most wanted leaders, including Hidma, may have anticipated the operation and successfully relocated. The discovery of the large cave suggests a significant logistical base, but it remains unclear whether it was still actively in use at the commencement of the operation.
The operation continues, although the initial hopes for a major crackdown on Maoist activity in the region appear to have been largely unmet. Further investigation and official statements are needed to clarify the extent of the successes and failures of Operation Karri Guttal.
First Piper 