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Chhattisgarh DRG & Bastar Fighters: 400% Rise in Maoist Neutralizations, 250 Killed Annually, Under HM Amit Shah’s March 2026 Deadline

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
27 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:~250 Maoists killed annually (last 2 years)400% rise in Maoist neutralizations90% Maoist casualties caused by DRG70% arrests by DRGMarch 31, 2026 deadline82 DRG personnel killed
Bodies:Supreme CourtChhattisgarh PoliceCRPF
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Key anti-Naxal strategy shift: Local tribal forces like District Reserve Guard (DRG) & Bastar Fighters are pivotal, causing over 90% of Maoist casualties in Chhattisgarh.

2.Data-driven success: Annual Maoist neutralizations in Chhattisgarh surged from ~48 (historical avg) to ~250 in last 2 years (400% rise), while security force & civilian casualties declined sharply.

3.Critical for Mains: Examines the evolution from Salwa Judum (struck down by SC in 2011) to formalized DRG, highlighting 'local knowledge' as a force multiplier and the transition from combat to area domination.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Maoist insurgency in India's Bastar region is facing a decisive turn, marked by a 400% surge in annual Maoist casualties to around 250, driven by local tribal forces like the DRG and Bastar Fighters. This strategy of 'fighting guerrilla with guerrilla' and leveraging surrendered cadres is central to Home Minister Amit Shah's March 31, 2026 deadline for eliminating Naxalism.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Annual Maoist Neutralizations (Chhattisgarh)~250 (last 2 years), up from historical avg of ~48
DRG Contribution to Maoist CasualtiesCredited with over 90%
DRG Contribution to ArrestsCredited with 70%
HM Amit Shah's DeadlineMarch 31, 2026 for 'eliminating' Naxalism
DRG Fatalities Since Inception82 personnel
DRG Personnel Injured/Limb Loss18 lost limbs
Relatives of DRG killed by Maoists32
Highest Maoist Casualties (Dandakaranya since 2017)13 killed in Korcholi operation (April 2, 2024)
Compensation for Killed PersonnelApprox. Rs 1.10 crore

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Annual Maoist Neutralizations (Chhattisgarh): ~250 (last 2 years), up from historical avg of ~48
  • ›DRG Contribution to Maoist Casualties: Credited with over 90%
  • ›Target this Data: Annual Maoist neutralizations in Chhattisgarh surged to ~250 (from historical avg of ~48).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Chhattisgarh Police.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Salwa Judum was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which specialized counter-insurgency force of the Chhattisgarh Police, comprising local tribals, is credited with causing over 90% of Maoist casualties in the state?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding anti-Naxal operations in India:

1. The Salwa Judum movement, a state-backed tribal militia against Maoists, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

2. The District Reserve Guard (DRG) in Chhattisgarh was formed based on the successful model of the Greyhounds force from Andhra Pradesh.

3. According to the article, the annual number of Maoists neutralized in Chhattisgarh has decreased sharply in the last two years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the Union Home Minister's deadline for 'eliminating' Naxalism?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is identified in the article as the primary strategic advantage of forces like the DRG and Bastar Fighters over central paramilitary forces in Bastar?

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