BSF Targets Elimination of Maoists from Odisha by March 2026, IG Reveals
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Bhubaneswar, Odisha - In a bid to rid the state of Maoist insurgency, the Border Security Force (BSF) has vowed to eradicate the extremist group from Odisha by March 2026. BSF Inspector General (IG) Shiv Aadhar Shrivastava shared the ambitious goal during a media briefing on Saturday. The BSF is working in tandem with Odisha police and other central armed forces to execute technology-driven and intelligence-based operations in Maoist-affected districts. The force has redeployed personnel in Kandhamal and established new units, with anti-Maoist operations now being conducted for longer durations in challenging terrain. Since the BSF's anti-Maoist operations began in 2010, the force has achieved notable milestones. These include the neutralization of 86 Maoists, the arrest of 710, and the surrender of 2,508 Maoists and their supporters. Additionally, 566 IEDs and live bombs have been defused. The BSF's efforts have been bolstered by specific intelligence inputs from the state police, which have helped block Maoist routes from neighboring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. The force's commitment to eradicating the Maoist threat has also been strengthened by civic action and tribal youth exchange programs. However, despite significant progress, challenges persist in areas like Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Boudh, where dense forests and IED threats remain. The socio-economic impact of Maoist-linked narcotics trafficking and ganja cultivation also poses a hurdle, according to another BSF officer. The BSF will celebrate its 61st Raising Day on December 1 this year, marking a new chapter in its efforts to safeguard the nation's borders and eliminate extremist groups like the Maoists.
