The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is planning to set up a commando training school at the rugged Karregutta Hills, located along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. This area was the site of a major anti-Naxal operation earlier this year, in which 31 Maoists were killed between April and May. Officials told the media that a survey is underway to identify the best spot on the hills, which stretch about 60 km in length and 5-20 km in width. The area is known for caves, bunkers, and various wildlife, including bees, bats, bears, and insects.
Operation Black Forest: A Major Success
The CRPF, its jungle warfare unit CoBRA, and the Chhattisgarh Police conducted a three-week operation, named ‘Operation Black Forest,’ at the Karregutta Hills, also called Korgotalu Hills. During the mission, 31 Maoists were killed, and a large collection of arms and ammunition was recovered. The operation was described as the biggest strike against Maoists so far and is part of the central government’s plan to eliminate Left Wing Extremism from India by March 2026.
Plans for Training School and Security Measures
A senior officer said that after the operation, a detailed check was done to remove hidden IEDs and bombs from the hills. That work is nearly complete, and now the CRPF is planning to establish a training school there to maintain the area securely. “The history of insurgency shows that after victory, areas need to be continuously monitored by security forces, or militants can return,” the officer added. Another officer mentioned that a team is examining logistics and infrastructure to build a permanent commando training base.
Challenging Terrain and Future Plans
The hills can reach temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius in summer, and water and electricity issues need to be addressed before the school becomes fully operational. During the operation, troops cleared paths across the hills, making movement easier, but the terrain still remains tough. Authorities also plan to open some parts of the Karregutta Hills for tourism. A security base will support this initiative. During ‘Operation Black Forest,’ security forces seized 450 IEDs, 35 weapons, 2 tonnes of explosives, and destroyed 250 caves and 214 bunkers across the 1,200 sq km area. Around 350 Naxals, including top commanders of the PLGA Battalion No.1, Telangana State Committee, and other units, had been based there for over two years. The hills also housed Maoist arms manufacturing and served as their main armoury.
