NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed security forces for neutralising 27 dreaded Naxalites in an operation that was undertaken in Chhattisgarh‘s Narayanpur.PM Modi said his government was “committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism”. “Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people,” PM Modi wrote, quoting the post of Union home minister Amit Shah.Earlier, Amit Shah applauded the security forces and agencies for carrying out the operations against Naxalites.Shah said in the operation, Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, who was the topmost leader and the backbone of the Naxal movement, was eliminated by the forces. “A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement,” he said. The home minister further wrote: “This is the first time in three decades of Bharat’s battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough. Also glad to share that after completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.”Gunfights broke out in a dense jungle patch, 15-20km from Orchha. The guns fell silent on Wednesday after the Maoists broke off and retreated. “A few security personnel sustained injuries during the encounter. All the injured have been given immediate medical attention and are now out of danger. The search operation is still ongoing,” an officer said. Official sources said Basava Raju, who carried a Rs 1.5 crore bounty, was among those killed. According to a police statement, this was the biggest encounter ever in Abujhmarh. “After reviewing all the facts and information obtained from this crucial operation, it is estimated that several senior-level Maoist cadres have either been killed or seriously injured,” the statement added. A police officer said it would take at least 24 hours for the troops to return. “Despite difficult geographical conditions and multiple challenges, security forces are advancing with this decisive campaign against left-wing extremism with full commitment and determination,” the IG said.