Bhubaneswar
Security forces have achieved a major breakthrough in the fight against Naxalism with Ganesh Uikey, a Central Committee member of the CPI (Maoist) and one of the most dreaded Maoist commanders, who was carrying a bounty of more than Rs 1 crore, getting killed in an encounter in the forested Rampha area bordering Kandhamal and Ganjam districts.
A senior officer overseeing anti-Naxal operations said security agencies had received intelligence inputs about the presence of four Maoists in the jungle. Acting on the information, a joint team of the Odisha Police Special Operations Group (SOG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) launched a special operation in the area.
The encounter took place in the dense forests of Rampha, where security forces recovered the bodies of four Maoists, including two women. Officials later confirmed that a total of six Maoists were killed during the operation.
According to officials, Ganesh Uikey was a member of the Maoists’ Central Committee and was considered the most powerful Maoist leader currently operating in the Bastar division. He also served as secretary of the Odisha State Committee of the banned organisation. A cumulative bounty of over Rs 1 crore had been announced on him by different states.
Security forces had intensified the search for Uikey after the killing of dreaded Maoist commander Hidma two months ago. With Uike’s death, that long pursuit has finally ended.
Officials said the encounter occurred during a special operation being led by the SOG in Kandhamal forests. During patrolling, security personnel came face to face with armed Maoists, leading to heavy exchange of fire. Initial reports spoke of two Maoists being killed, but later confirmation established that Ganesh Uikey was among those neutralised.
The year 2025 is being termed the most successful so far in terms of Naxal elimination. In June, senior Maoist leader Keshav Rao alias Basavaraj was killed in an encounter, while Hidma, one of the most feared commanders, was eliminated two months ago. With Ganesh Uikey’s killing, at least three top Maoist leaders have been neutralised this year alone, besides several other cadres in multiple encounters.
Officials said Uikey was among the top six Maoist leaders in the country, and with his death, only five senior leaders are now believed to be active. His killing has delivered another severe blow to the Maoist organisation.
A native of Telangana, Ganesh Uikey was also known by several aliases, including Ganesh, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru Dada, Gajarala Ravi and Somru. He was active across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and the Bastar region, and was known to carry an AK-47. Despite escaping several encounters in the past, he was finally cornered and killed by security forces.
Security agencies said the sustained offensive against Maoist leadership is part of a larger nationwide strategy, with March 2026 set as the target for completely eliminating Naxalism from the country.
