Naxalism to be eradicated from Odisha by March 2026: BSF IG

There are 60 to 70 active Naxalites in Odisha. Of them, the number of Odisha cadre Naxalites is six or seven. The Naxalites active in Odisha are mainly of neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh cadres, said BSF IG (Frontier HQ - Special Ops) Charu Dhwaj Aggarwal on Saturday. 

Addressing a press meet, the BSF IG said, “According to the Union Home Ministry, seven districts -- Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Bolangir, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Rayagada, have been categorised as Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected but Maoist activities are mostly confined to the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) region.”

"While there are 38 Naxal-affected districts in the country, seven districts are in Odisha. The districts include Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Bolangir and Nuapada,” he added. 

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"The BSF is committed to eradicating Naxalism from Odisha by March 2026, with enhanced coordination with Odisha Police and intelligence agencies, deployment of advanced technologies like drones and satellite surveillance and strengthening community engagement," he further said. 

He informed that BSF was first deployed in Odisha in 2010 when the Naxal menace was at its peak. He said the transformation of the erstwhile cut-off area into 'Swabhiman Anchal’ is one of the most significant achievements for the force.

Informing about the achievements in 2024, he said, “In 2024, three dreaded Naxalites were neutralised and 24 hardcore cadres surrendered. Besides, 34 IEDs, 117 grenades, and a large cache of arms and ammunition were seized in the state.”