Senior Maoist Leader Ganesh Uike Neutralized in Odisha's Kandhamal District

Ganesh Uike, a top leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its Odisha in-charge, was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the Kandhamal district of Odisha on Thursday, December 25, 2025. The operation, which also resulted in the deaths of five other Maoists, including two women, is being hailed as a significant victory in the state's anti-Maoist efforts.

Details of the Encounter

The encounter took place in the early hours of Thursday in the Chakapad police station area and the Rambha forest range, bordering Kandhamal and Ganjam districts. Joint teams comprising the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Odisha Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Border Security Force (BSF) launched the operation based on specific intelligence inputs. The intelligence, reportedly aided by information from 22 Maoists who recently surrendered in Malkangiri district, helped security forces track Uike's movements. During extensive search operations following the gunfight, security personnel recovered the bodies of six Maoists, all in uniform, along with two INSAS rifles and one .303 rifle.

Profile of a Key Maoist Leader

Ganesh Uike, aged 69, was a long-standing figure in the Maoist movement, active for over four decades. He was a member of the powerful Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) and held the crucial position of heading the outfit's operations in Odisha. Uike was known by several aliases, including Paka Hanumanthu, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru, and Rupa. He carried a cumulative bounty of ₹1.1 crore on his head, offered by various states. Originally from Nalgonda district in Telangana, Uike was linked to numerous major Maoist attacks across multiple states, including the infamous 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush in Chhattisgarh, which resulted in significant casualties among Congress leaders. His elimination is considered a severe blow to the Maoist command structure and is expected to significantly weaken the organization's network in the region.

Official Reactions and Future Outlook

Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania confirmed the successful operation and reiterated the state police's commitment to eradicating Maoist activities. He stated that Odisha Police aims to end all Maoist presence in the state by March 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also commented on the development, calling it a 'significant milestone towards a Naxal-free Bharat' and expressing resolve to eliminate Naxalism before March 31, 2026. The operation underscores the intensified efforts by security forces to counter the Maoist insurgency in India.