Top Maoist leader Prabhakar, six others killed in Gadchiroli operations

In the anti-Naxal operations going on for the last three days, top Maoist leader Prabhakar was killed along with six other Maoists, including three women cadres, in Gadchiroli’s Abujmad region, police said on Friday (February 6, 2026). Prabhakar alias Loketi Chandar Rao carried a cash reward of ₹25 Lakh on his head, and was in-charge of the Maoists’ Gadchiroli Division Committee, West Sub-Zonal Bureau and ‘Company No 10’. One police jawan died in the operation, while one was injured.

The police have so far recovered three AK-47 rifles, one SLR and one .303 rifle from the location. The identities of other Naxals have not yet been ascertained.

“Based on credible intelligence received on February 3 about the movement of Compnay No.10, an operation was launched the same night with 14 C60 units led by SDPO Bhamragad, exactly on Narayanpur-Gadchiroli border district, few km above Phodewada village. An exchange of fire took place with Maoists for sometime during the day on Friday. Their two camps were busted. There was a seizure of large amount of Naxal belongings. However, Maoists could not be traced due to hostile terrain and dense forest. Additional 4 C60 units and 1 unit of QAT CRPF were reinforced to the existing cordon. Exchange of fire has been going on with Maoists intermittently,” a note issued by the Gadchiroli Police stated.

C-60 jawan Deepak Chinna Madavi (38), a resident of Mandra in Aheri tehsil of the district, died in action. According to the police, he neutralised two Maoists in a heavy exchange of fire on Thursday evening, but suffered a bullet injury. He was airlifted to a Bhamragad hospital, but succumbed to injuries. He will be cremated on Saturday at his native village with full honours, police said.

Joga Madavi, another jawan who is a resident of Kishtyapalli, also suffered bullet injuries on Thursday night. “He was airlifted to Gadchiroli and is undergoing treatment. His condition is stable,” an official said.