A major blow was dealt to the Maoist network in eastern India after senior CPI (Maoist) leader Ganesh Uike was killed in an encounter with security forces in Odisha&rsquo;s Kandhamal district. The gunfight erupted in a dense forest under the Chakapad police station area during an anti-Naxal operation, resulting in the deaths of four Maoists.
Ganesh Uike, a central committee member of the banned outfit and its chief in Odisha, carried a bounty of ₹1.1 crore. Aged 69, Uike was considered one of the most influential Maoist leaders operating across Odisha and neighbouring states. He was known by several aliases and hailed from Telangana&rsquo;s Nalgonda district, reflecting the cross-regional spread of his activities.
Security forces recovered bodies from the encounter site, including two women cadres, whose identities are still being verified. The operation follows sustained intelligence-led efforts to dismantle Maoist leadership structures in Odisha&rsquo;s interior districts, long considered vulnerable to left-wing extremism.
The killing of Uike is seen as a significant setback for the Maoist movement in the region, particularly at a time when security agencies have intensified operations to curb insurgent activity. Officials believe the encounter will weaken the group&rsquo;s operational capacity and disrupt its command structure in eastern India.

₹1.1 crore bounty holder Ganesh Uike among four Maoists killed in Kandhamal encounter

Top Maoist Leader Killed in Odisha

₹1.1 crore bounty holder Ganesh Uike among four Maoists killed in Kandhamal encounter

December 25, 2025 | 23:14 IST