An anti-Naxal operation involving close to 40,000 security personnel has been launched in all affected states with an aim to strike at the root of Maoist formations and cadres. The four-day operations, led by Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF, started early yesterday in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra. Officials said, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are also part of this maiden offensive being undertaken against Maoist groups.

This is the first time both central and state forces have launched a coordinated operation to flush out Naxals from their interior hotbeds. CRPF Chief Dilip Trivedi said, the idea is to scramble all the forces at one time so that Naxals cannot flee into neighbouring territories if they feel pressure by the security forces in one area. The results of the four-day operations will be analysed threadbare and a decision to undertake such offensives in the future will be decided.

The operation is being coordinated by CRPF with other forces like ITBP, BSF, SSB and various state police forces. Enough quantity of arms and ammunition has also been made available to the forces, while a fleet of BSF and IAF helicopters have been positioned for air droppings and evacuation.