As One Year Countdown For Demolishing Red Castle Begins, CRPF's Defensive-Offensive Mix Strategy Shows Strong Promise

Exactly a year from now, the countdown to making India Naxal-free will end, and once again, the government's assurance will be put to the test on 31 March 2026. But this time, it appears that the government will get some desirable results after the deadline. The reason is not only determination and meetings but some real work being done on the ground by CRPF.

Unlike the previous government, under which surface level ambitious looking promises were made, Operation Greenhunt fizzled out on the ground. The reason was that only surface-level efforts were made, and no long-term and sustained counter-insurgency strategy was made. Top sources say that Operation Greenhunt was low in impact and high in noise because of the lack of a sustainable and balanced strategy. This led the Maoists to regroup and retaliate, tying up the forces in a protracted battle.

However, this time, the scenario has changed, and CRPF, under the leadership of G.P Singh, is doing things right. What appears from the recent successful anti-naxal operations and CRPF DG's operational reviews is that an operational mechanism is being developed. The Clear Hold and Build Strategy combining a defensive-offensive mix has yielded significant results. In almost a week, the top Naxalite Commander, including 30 Maoists, has been killed. Two months back, a high-profile target- Naxal's bomb specialist was killed.

The Clear Hold and Build strategy shows a long-term promise; GP Singh's measures of strengthening welfare initiatives, including opening up and upgrading CRPF Gurukools at one end and on the other review of red zones and bridging operational gaps on the ground, further improving jointness with Chhatisgarh's DRG  not only clearing naxal presence tactically but make a long term peace in naxal affected areas by clearing, holding and building up in such regions.

This will secure the future of tribal people and eliminate fear, further reducing naxal residuary recruitment attempts. However, top sources highlight the 'push back threat', where Maoists may retreat deep into the jungles and potentially resurge. This possibility can be countered once the CRPF and DRG begin to dominate the insurgency landscape.The more areas the CRPF can clear, hold, and most importantly, build, the more the residual Naxals will be paralyzed as it will trigger more surrenders and operational defunctness among Naxal cadres.

This is the essence of refined Counter-insurgency (COIN) operations which can help achieving the 2026 deadline . As G.P. Singh steers a strong ship into difficult waters, but this time, the captain of the ship has a clear vision and the courage to face strong winds.