In a major encounter in the Abujhmad forest area of Narayanpur, security forces killed 27 Naxalites, including Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, who was the general secretary of the CPI (Maoist). According to IG Bastar P Sundarraj, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the site. Basavaraju had been involved in Naxalite activities for 40 to 45 years and was connected to more than 200 such incidents. Watch video.

On May 21, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced that over 26 Naxalites were killed in an ongoing operation in Narayanpur. He said that the bodies are being recovered and that one jawan was injured but is now out of danger. Sadly, one member of the security forces lost his life during the operation. Sharma praised the security forces for their brave efforts. Former Chief Minister Raman Singh also congratulated the Chhattisgarh Police for the success of the operation. He mentioned that apart from one injury, no other police personnel were harmed. He also extended his congratulations to the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister, and Vijay Sharma for the achievement.