Maoist leader Jayaram Reddy, who was carrying a bounty of Rs. 1 crore on his head, was killed during a joint operation by the Odisha and Chhattisgarh police over the last two days in Gariaband district.

Apart from Jayaram, who was also known as Chalapati, 13 other Maoist insurgents were killed in the operation.

The operation was reportedly launched on January 19 on the basis of intelligence input about the presence of a large number of Maoists in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district.

The Chhattisgarh district is located close to Odisha border.

According to reports, the joint operation was conducted by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Odisha Police, CoBRA forces from Chhattisgarh, the CRPF, and the District Reserve Guard.

Security forces recovered a large number of recovered a large cache of firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the site.

Odisha police sources told UNI news agency that the death toll could rise as a massive search operation is currently underway in the area.

Mighty blow to Naxalism: Amit Shah

Appreciating the success of Indian security forces, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X: "Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat."

"The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," he said.