Andhra Pradesh appears to have reached a defining moment in its decades-long battle against Left-Wing Extremism, with state police declaring the near-total eradication of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) by the March 31, 2026, deadline.
Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta announced on March 30 that sustained, intelligence-driven operations have effectively dismantled Maoist networks across the state. Over the past 18 months, 18 Maoists, including senior Central Committee and zonal leaders, were killed in encounters, while 81 cadres were arrested and 106 surrendered. Security forces also recovered around 120 weapons, reflecting both the scale of operations and the weakening operational capacity of the insurgents.
Long-term data underscores the depth of this decline. Maoist-linked incidents have steadily decreased from 37 in 2018 to 12 in 2024. Although 2025 saw a rise to 18 incidents, this spike has been attributed to intensified security force operations in the run-up to the national deadline for eliminating Maoism. Fatalities follow a similar pattern: once peaking at hundreds in the mid-2000s, they have dwindled sharply, with no civilian deaths recorded in 2025 and no fatalities of any kind reported in the state in early 2026.
The erosion of Maoist influence is also evident in the near absence of major attacks. The last significant civilian-targeted incident occurred in February 2023, while major attacks on security forces have been virtually non-existent for years. Incidents involving explosions have not been recorded since 2020, and Maoists have largely abandoned tactics such as bandh calls, once a hallmark of their disruptive strategy.
Geographically, the insurgency has been reduced to a marginal presence. By 2025, Maoist activity was reported in only one of Andhra Pradesh’s 26 districts- Alluri Sitarama Raju – compared to four districts in 2024. This contraction highlights the success of sustained counter-insurgency efforts in reclaiming forested strongholds that once served as Maoist bases.
A key turning point came in late 2025, when coordinated intelligence-led operations targeted Maoist cadres attempting to seek refuge in Andhra Pradesh from neighbouring states such as Chhattisgarh and Telangana. Multiple encounters during this period eliminated several senior leaders, while widespread arrests across districts disrupted attempts at regrouping. These operations, described by officials as among the most comprehensive in recent years, significantly accelerated the collapse of the insurgent network.
Another notable trend has been the rise in surrenders, reflecting growing pressure on the Maoist ranks. At least 38 cadres surrendered in 2025, in addition to 45 in 2024, with further surrenders recorded in early 2026. This shift suggests not only operational setbacks for the insurgents but also the effectiveness of rehabilitation and welfare measures offered by the state.
Despite these successes, structural challenges remain within the policing system. Andhra Pradesh continues to face a significant personnel deficit, with nearly 20 percent of sanctioned posts unfilled. Police-to-population and police-to-area ratios also fall below national averages, raising concerns about the sustainability of security gains, particularly in remote and vulnerable regions.
Experts caution thvat while Maoism is on the verge of collapse in the state, the risk of resurgence cannot be entirely ruled out. Preventing spillover from neighbouring conflict zones, strengthening institutional capacity, and addressing persistent socio-economic grievances in tribal areas will be essential.
As Andhra Pradesh moves beyond the March 31 deadline, the focus is likely to shift from counter-insurgency to consolidation. Ensuring the successful reintegration of surrendered cadres, coupled with accelerated development in historically neglected regions, will be critical to securing long-term peace.
The state now stands at a pivotal juncture having nearly eliminated one of India’s most enduring internal security challenges, it must ensure that this hard-won stability translates into durable and inclusive progress.
Deepak Kumar Nayak
Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
Sunday, May 17, 2026