Raipur: A major breakthrough in anti-Maoist operations came on Sunday when security forces killed a key Maoist commander in an encounter in the Palampalli forest area in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh.

The slain rebel, identified as Muchaki Kailas, carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh and was a section commander of Platoon No 31. Kailas had long-standing links with the Maoist organisation.

Acting on intelligence inputs, police and paramilitary forces launched a joint search operation in the dense forest. A fierce exchange of fire ensued, after which Kailas's body was recovered. Security personnel also seized an automatic weapon and a large cache of explosives from the site.

The encounter comes amid intensified operations across Telangana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh ahead of the Centre's March 31 deadline for Maoists to surrender. Over 10,000 personnel have been deployed, with several cadres already surrendering while others have been neutralised.