Historic Victory: Last Maoist Commander Surrenders in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband, Marking End of Two-Decade Insurgency

Sunil's involvement with Maoist activities began in 2004.

In a significant achievement for Chhattisgarh's counter-insurgency operations, Sunil alias Jagtar Singh, the final active Maoist in Gariaband district, surrendered to police authorities on Friday. This landmark surrender effectively ends organized Maoist presence in the district.

The surrender is particularly noteworthy as Sunil, originally from Thandad village in Haryana's Kurukshetra district, carried a substantial Rs 8 lakh bounty and had maintained active involvement in Maoist activities for more than two decades.

Officials have characterized this development as a "historic moment" for Gariaband, which can now be officially declared Maoist-free following years of systematic police and intelligence efforts.

During a coordinated operation on Friday, seven Maoists belonging to the Udanti Area Committee under the Gariaband-Dhamtari-Nuapada division surrendered to police forces.

According to official sources, the combined bounty on these insurgents amounted to approximately Rs 37 lakh. Among those who surrendered were Sunil, who served as Udanti Area Commander, and his wife Arina, who held the position of secretary in the same division – each carrying an Rs 8 lakh reward.

Sunil's radicalization journey began in 2004 when he joined the Shivalik Jansangharsh Manch, a front organization for the banned CPI (Maoist), in Yamunanagar, Haryana. Through this association, he was introduced to prominent Maoist ideologues including C.C. Lankapapareddy and C.C. Subramaniam in Delhi, where he deepened his understanding of Maoist ideology and began operating within urban networks.

Authorities arrested Sunil twice – in 2006 and 2008 – for extremist activities. However, following his release, he resumed his involvement and strengthened connections within Maoist circles operating in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

A pivotal encounter with Maoist leader Mandeep in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh in December 2015 dramatically altered Sunil's trajectory. Together, they traveled to the Boden (Khadupani) forest in Odisha's Nuapada district, where Sunil met Sangram alias Murali, a Central Committee member. Following this meeting, he formally joined the armed cadre and commenced operations in the Gariaband-Nuapada border region.

By May 2016, his dedication earned him promotion to Area Committee Member (ACM) in the Sinapali Area Committee. His influence expanded further when, in April 2017, he accompanied top Maoist leadership including General Secretary Ganpati and CC Sonu during their visit to Gariaband. A subsequent police encounter at Kundanjharia village revealed his growing influence and involvement.

In January 2018, Sunil participated in a week-long tactical and weapons training camp in the Kundanjharia forest. The program focused on guerrilla warfare techniques, communication protocols, and ambush strategies. During this camp, he met fellow Maoist cadre Arina Tekam, whom he married in May 2018.

Recognized for his leadership capabilities, Sunil received promotion to Deputy Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) in July 2018 and subsequently became Indagaon Area Commander in December 2020 – a position he maintained until his surrender.

In July 2022, he attended a crucial Maoist leadership gathering in Odh village forest alongside senior Central Committee members Devji, Chalpati, Vikas, Jairam, and Kartik, highlighting his elevated status within the insurgent hierarchy.

Sunil's surrender follows a massive wave of capitulations within Maoist ranks.

On October 17, 2025, a record 210 Maoists, including Central Committee member Rupesh, surrendered with 175 weapons – the largest such event in the movement's history.

According to official statistics, between 2001 and 2025, 7,826 Maoists have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, including 1,319 in 2025 alone – the highest figure in two decades.

Once a critical red corridor connecting Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Gariaband now represents a successful model demonstrating how coordinated intelligence, effective rehabilitation policies, and sustained community engagement can dismantle entrenched Maoist networks in the region.