Chhattisgarh witnessed a major breakthrough in anti-Maoist operations as senior CPI (Maoist) commander Paparao alias Mangu surrendered with 17 associates in Bijapur district.
Paparao, also known as Chandrana or Mangu Dada, headed the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee and had been underground for over two decades. He operated across five states, orchestrating several deadly attacks on security forces in the dense Indravati–Abujhmad forest belt.
Authorities confirmed that Paparao carried a bounty of over Rs 25 lakh on his head. His surrender marks a decisive blow to the Maoist network in Bastar, where he was considered the last key commander.
During the surrender, Paparao and his associates handed over a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles and SLRs, to Bastar IG. Officials described the recovery as one of the largest in recent years.
Security agencies believe the surrender will weaken Maoist influence in the region and encourage more cadres to abandon the movement. Investigations are underway to trace the wider network and assess the impact on Maoist activities across Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states.
