Maharashtra: Top Maoist insurgent held in Gadchiroli while conducting reconnaissance for sabotage, says police

Mahaka faces a total of four criminal cases, including one for arson, one for murder and two for other Maoist-related offences. PIC/ Gadchiroli Police

The Gadchiroli Police in Maharashtra have arrested a notorious Maoist insurgent, Shankar Bhima Mahaka, who was allegedly conducting reconnaissance in the Tadgaon forest area with the intent to carry out a sabotage attack.

The 32-year-old, a member of the Bhamragad Dalam, was apprehended on Saturday, during a combing operation by two anti-Maoist special operations teams in the Tirkameta jungle, under Tadgaon Police Station in Bhamragad Sub-Division.

Major criminal history and NIA interest

Mahaka is a wanted accused in multiple Maoist cases, including murder, arson, and IED-related incidents. He was on the radar of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a murder case, and the Maharashtra government had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for his arrest.

His arrest brings the total number of Maoists nabbed by Gadchiroli Police since January 2022 to 109, underscoring the success of the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign in the region.

Police confirmed Mahaka's involvement in a 2022 arson attack, in which 19 vehicles (worth Rs 2 crore) engaged in road construction on the Dhodraj-Irpanar-Pengunda route were torched by Maoists. The incident was registered at Laheri Sub-Police Station (Crime No. 01/2022), and Mahaka has now been formally arrested in connection with the case.

Mahaka faces a total of four criminal cases, including one for arson, one for murder and two for other Maoist-related offences.

In 2023, he allegedly participated in the murder of an innocent civilian in Pengunda village.

Longstanding involvement in Maoist activities

2016-2021: Served as a Jan Militia member in the Maoist outfit.

2021-22: Recruited into the Bhamragad Dalam as a full-time member.

Since 2022: Actively operated in the Parayanar forest belt, gathering intelligence on police movements and assisting in destructive operations.

Operation details and leadership

The successful arrest operation was carried out under the close supervision of senior officers of the Maharashtra Police. Leading the operation was Sandeep Patil, Special Inspector General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations), along with Ankit Goyal, Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Gadchiroli Range.

On-ground coordination was managed by Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, and M. Ramesh, Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations). The team also included Satya Sai Karthik, Additional SP of Aheri (Pranhita), Vishal Nagargoje, Deputy SP (Operations) and Ajay Kokate, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Bhamragad.

The operation was executed by the Special Operations Unit, whose personnel successfully apprehended the hardcore Maoist after strategic surveillance and field intelligence.

Following the arrest, Superintendent of Police Neelotpal stated that the Gadchiroli Police would further intensify anti-Maoist operations in the forest regions to break the network of left-wing extremism in the district. He issued a renewed appeal to active Maoists to abandon violence and take advantage of the government's surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Neelotpal emphasised that those who choose to surrender will be given an opportunity to reintegrate into society with dignity and respect, encouraging them to leave the path of violence behind and begin a peaceful life.