Maoist Mastermind Behind CM Naidu Attack Killed in Chhattisgarh Encounter

Narayanpur (The Uttam Hindu): A major encounter in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district has resulted in the elimination of 27 Maoists, including top leader Nambala Keshava Rao. Rao, who was the mastermind behind the deadly bomb attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in Tirupati's Alipiri, was known for his expertise in guerrilla strategies and IED blasts. He became the Maoist Supreme Commander in 2018 and played a major role in the brutal killing of 76 CRPF jawans in 2010.

The encounter took place in the Abujhmad area after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of senior Maoist cadres. A fierce exchange of fire occurred between the Maoists and security forces, resulting in the elimination of Rao and other top leaders, including Madhu, a senior member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Naveen, who worked with the group's publication wing called Jung and Basavaraj, who led the group's Central Military Commission. Rao, 67, was an engineering graduate from Warangal REC and was attracted to Naxalism during his M.Tech studies. His father was a teacher.