CRPF’s 210 CoBRA honoured as best ops battalion for anti-Naxal ops in Bastar

RAIPUR: The elite unit of CRPF- 210 CoBRA battalion- deployed in worst Maoist affected Bastar's Bijapur district was conferred with the best operation battalion trophy for 2025 on Saturday. Going beyond one of the toughest forest terrains and inaccessible pockets of the country in Bastar, the battalion is known for carrying out major anti-Naxal operations inflicting heavy casualties to Maoists in the past two years. The battalion carried out multiple intelligence-led operations and among the biggest was the Karegutta hills 'Black Forest operation' in March-April 2025, which went on for over 15 days that killed more than two dozen Maoists and the forces holed up the most non penetrative hide out of the Maoist commanders. Going by the official data, the battalion eliminated 95 hardcore Maoists, arrested 136 cadres, facilitated the surrender and reintegration of 61 cadres in past one year.The operations also led to the recovery of hundreds of IEDs and weapons, disrupting Maoist logistics, recruitment pipelines, training modules and communication networks, officials said.To deepen area domination and sustain presence in remote zones, this battalion established 21 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), which officials said improved response time and operational reach in interior areas.This led to the expansion of operational corridors including Tarrem and Nambi axes linked with Pamed, and Basaguda connected to Jagargunda has helped improve movement across tri-junction zones touching Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Maharashtra.The best operation battalion trophy marks the elite unit’s second consecutive top operational honour after winning the best ops battalion (SOZ) award in 2024, officials said at the CRPF Day Parade in Guwahati. Assam on Saturday. Personnel of the battalion have received multiple gallantry and service decorations, including four Kirti Chakras, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.The award was presented by Union home minister Amit Shah in Guwahati.