- Lauds CRPF for completing 12 months without operational fatalities; says peace and development are flourishing in former Naxal stronghold
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Bastar in Chhattisgarh to celebrate Diwali with security personnel deployed in anti-Naxal operations, acknowledging their sacrifices and contribution to restoring peace in the region. In a post on X, the Prime Minister highlighted Bastar’s remarkable transformation, noting that an area once dominated by Naxalism is now witnessing peace and accelerated development.
“Heading to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces. This is an area where Naxalism once held sway, and now, development is flourishing. I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the nation,” Modi said.
CRPF Completes 12 Months Without Operational Fatality
The visit comes as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) achieves a significant operational milestone, completing 12 consecutive months without any operational fatality. The force recorded its last operational death on October 30, 2025. CRPF Director General GP Singh attributed the achievement to improvements in operational preparedness, training, strategic planning and medical response.
“Provision of latest and contemporary hardware, better training and strategic planning, along with focus on post-incident response, including high-speed evacuation of injured personnel to secondary and tertiary medical facilities, has contributed immensely in achieving this milestone,” Singh said.
He noted that the achievement was particularly significant as the force continued intensive operations across major operational theatres, registering substantial breakthroughs. Singh reaffirmed the CRPF’s commitment to keeping the country peaceful and safe.
PM Modi Praises CRPF: ‘A ZERO That Speaks Volumes’
Prime Minister Modi also congratulated the force on the achievement, describing it in a brief message on X as: “A ZERO that speaks volumes.”
The CRPF has played a pivotal role in anti-Naxal operations in Bastar, where insurgency had long hindered infrastructure development and access to essential services. Improved security is expected to accelerate development initiatives in education, healthcare, roads, electricity, telecommunications, tourism and employment.
Amit Shah Leads Campaign Against Naxalism
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been leading the government’s campaign to eliminate Naxalism. The Centre’s policy combines security operations with rehabilitation, allowing those who surrender and renounce violence to return to mainstream society, while taking action against individuals who continue armed violence and threaten civilians.
The campaign has also witnessed several people surrendering and choosing to rejoin mainstream society, marking another step towards lasting peace and development in Bastar.
Heading to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2026
This is an area where Naxalism once held sway and now, development is flourishing.
I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the…
