A senior commander of the CPI (Maoist), who recently surrendered before the Telangana Police, has disclosed key details about his arrest and internal Maoist operations. Badse Sukka, also known by the aliases Deva and Darshan, said he handed over a diary to the authorities that contained detailed information about the storage and movement of weapons used by Maoist cadres. He added that he was apprehended during a routine police check while he was travelling with arms.
Speaking to India Today after his surrender, Deva said that a significant number of Maoist cadres had either been killed, surrendered, or returned to civilian life in recent months due to sustained security pressure under Operation Kagar. He described the operation as having a major impact on the organisational strength and morale of the CPI (Maoist), particularly in its strongholds.
Operation Kagar is an ongoing counter-insurgency initiative aimed at dismantling Maoist networks and armed units operating in the dense forest regions of south Bastar and adjoining areas. The operation covers parts of Chhattisgarh and Telangana, focusing on leadership, logistics, and supply chains linked to the Maoist movement.
During the interaction, Deva, who served as a senior commander in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), said he was arrested while travelling in a Bolero vehicle that was carrying weapons. He stated that after his arrest, he voluntarily handed over his diary, which, according to him, contained comprehensive details about the locations where arms and ammunition had been stored by the organisation.
At 49 years of age, Deva hails from Puvvarthi village under the jurisdiction of the Konta police station in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Within the Maoist hierarchy, he held the rank of DK SZCM and was considered one of the more influential tribal leaders in the CPI (Maoist) structure. As a PLGA battalion commander, he played a key role in operational planning and coordination.
Deva said he joined the CPI (Maoist) in 2003 after coming under the influence of senior Maoist leader Madavi Hiduma. Over the years, he specialised in military strategy, procurement of explosives, and the manufacture of firearms and improvised explosive devices. His technical expertise and experience led to his rise within the organisation.
Following Hiduma’s promotion in November 2023, Deva was elevated to the position of PLGA battalion commander. In that role, he was involved in reorganising Maoist units at a time when security forces had intensified anti-Naxal operations across south Bastar in 2024. He was later assigned responsibility for overseeing security arrangements and logistical support in the KGH area, a region considered strategically important by the Maoists.
Because of his seniority and operational importance, Deva was a high-value target for security agencies. The governments of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, along with the National Investigation Agency, had announced a cumulative reward of ₹75 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
