Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough against left-wing extremism, Telangana police on Monday secured the surrender of 24 Maoist cadres in the Karregutta forest, effectively ending the group’s hold over the region. Acting on intelligence about Maoist presence in the Karregutta hills of Mugulu district, police—backed by elite Greyhounds commandos—moved in and persuaded the Maoists to lay down arms with assurances of safety. Among those who surrendered were members holding divisional committee member and area committee member ranks. The group of Maoists was in possession of automatic weapons at the time of surrender. Combing ops“Karregutta, once a stronghold of the CPI (Maoist), is now free from their presence. The challenge ahead lies in neutralising explosives planted earlier by the extremists,” said senior officials, noting that anti-sabotage teams are combing the area. To consolidate control, police and district authorities have laid a temporary soil road spanning 12 km into the hills, with plans to extend another 18 km. Multiple outposts, including CRPF detachments, will remain active, while road connectivity between Telangana and Chhattisgarh is being prioritised to prevent Maoist regrouping, sources said. 761 surrenderedAccording to police records, 761 Maoists have surrendered since 2024, with the majority giving up arms after the launch of Operation Kagar in 2025. Of these, 205 were underground cadres of CPI (Maoist) in Telangana.Among those surrendered include divisional committee member and area committee member ranks. Maoists were in possession of automatic weapons at time of surrender
