Bhopal:

An anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district has led to a striking discovery that may have severe implications for the local economy. For the first time, security forces have found in Maoist camps equipment used to print fake currency.

While this indicates that extensive security operations in the region have crippled the rebels’ cash flow, use and circulation of such fake currency in local markets may create a massive problem.

The startling find was made during a joint search operation by Sukma Police, District Reserve Guard and the CRPF in the forests of Korajguda yesterday.

District police chief Kiran Chavan told NDTV that they launched the search based on intelligence inputs about Maoists printing counterfeit currency in the forest. While the rebels managed to flee, the forces found currency printing machines, ink, templates and fake notes of several denominations — Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200 and Rs 500 at their hideout. Several other items, including a gun, a wireless set and a large quantity of explosives, were also seized.

“The way they are printing notes, it is understood that the Naxalite organization is facing a shortage of money. The ongoing operations in the interior areas have significantly reduced their funding, prompting them to resort to printing counterfeit currency,” the senior officer said.

Maoists are known to buy supplies from weekly village markets. Their use of fake currency in these transactions can potentially destabilise the local economy. To counter this, local authorities and security forces are launching awareness campaigns in villages and asking residents to be vigilant and reject any suspicious currency.

Traders and hawkers, especially those in remote areas, are being advised to thoroughly check notes before accepting them.

According to sources, Maoists adopted a new tactic since 2022 to print fake currency and address the organisation’s cash crunch. At least one member from each area committee was trained to fake notes. This currency was then used in local markets and entered the cash system.

On the night of April 15, a search party from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were on patrol in the dense jungles of Hapatola in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. The personnel came from different command stations and linked up at a point to execute one of the biggest operations against Maoists in recent times.

A search and cordon operation, including a fierce gun battle, lasted for more than 15 hours, leaving 29 Maoists dead, including their top commander, Shankar Rao, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. Three personnel were injured – Two from the BSF and one from the DRG, and the operation was declared a success.

BSF Sub Inspector Ramesh Chandra Chaudhary told NDTV how his platoon was the first to be shot at by the Maoists and, despite suffering bullet injuries, he kept directing his troops during the gun battle. Sub-Inspector Chaudhary was injured during the operation.

‘The Operation’ – Planning And Execution

“We left for the operation on Monday night, and all the teams came from different posts. By the morning of Tuesday, we laid a cordon. We had intel that Maoists were present in the jungle. We thought the Maoists would be present at the first point, but they were not there. We searched for another spot and found cooking utensils. We had info that 15-20 are present, but around 35 rebels were up on the hill,” the officer said, adding, “We searched to find them, and the person in front of the patrol saw some movement on top of a hill. It was an observation post (OP), and around two Maoists were present.”

The Maoists were armed with Kalashnikovs, Light Machine Guns, rifles like INSAS, and other automatic weapons. In an uphill battle, the ratio is usually 10:1, i.e., if 1 enemy is present, then at least 10 soldiers are needed for an attack. The troops from DRG and BSF meticulously planned their ascent and surrounded them.

“Our team camouflaged with the surroundings and cornered them to lay a cordon. We knew they’d run for cover, and when they ran to protect themselves, they opened fire, and our teams retaliated with a heavy response, and the dense jungle turned into a battleground,” Sub Inspector Chaudhary recalled how the operation panned out. The officer hails from Jaipur, and his family is present with him in the hospital.

The brave soldier twirled his moustache when Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vijay Sharma met him at the hospital. The smile on the officer’s face did not fade despite being injured. 

‘Maoists Used A Dangerous Tactic’

“The gun battle was on, and I took cover behind a tree. They fired back to break the ambush to run away, but a burst of fire from an LMG came and hit my leg. Even after getting hit, I could observe and tell my troops and told them that the Maoists were lying on the ground and using automatic weapons. It’s a very dangerous tactic they used against us as the target becomes small when you lie down.”

Suryakant Shrimali, a personnel from the DRG, was also injured in the encounter. He recalled how his team laid a cordon from two sides to ambush the Maoists.

‘We Ate Fruits’

“We crossed the river and got information that around 25 Maoists were present, climbed the hill and crossed a river stream but couldn’t locate them. We ate fruits on the morning of Tuesday and then moved forward with our search. We received inputs that in Alparas forests around 30 Maoists are present on top of the hill. I was in the Tango company. We laid a cordon and ambushed them and the battle began around noon and went on for almost four hours,” Suryakant told NDTV.

“I was hit in the right leg and it went through and through. We were determined to complete the operation and we finished their party. The operation was a big success for us,” he added.