Karnataka Police neutralize most wanted Maoist leader Vikram Gowda in encounter

Fugitive on the run for over 20 years, Naxal leader Vikram Gowda killed in Udupi encounter

Karnataka Police have successfully neutralized Vikram Gowda, one of the most wanted Maoist leaders in South India, in a dramatic encounter in the dense Kabbinale forest region of Udupi district. Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed the news to the media on Tuesday, describing the operation as a significant victory in the state’s fight against Maoist insurgency.

The encounter occurred on Monday evening when police forces, acting on credible intelligence regarding Gowda’s movements, spotted the Maoist leader in the forest.

According to Parameshwara, when the police attempted to apprehend him, Gowda opened fire on the officers. In response, the police engaged in a firefight, resulting in the death of Gowda.

Three of Gowda’s associates, however, managed to flee the scene. The police have intensified their combing operations in the area to track down the remaining suspects. “Our forces had been keeping a close watch on Vikram Gowda’s activities for some time. After gathering crucial inputs, we launched the operation that ultimately led to his death,” Parameshwara explained.

The killing of Vikram Gowda marks a major development in the state’s long-running efforts to dismantle Maoist networks in the region. Gowda, who had been on the run for over 20 years, was one of the most elusive figures in Karnataka’s Maoist insurgency. Despite several previous attempts to capture him, Gowda had managed to evade the police each time. His death in Monday’s encounter is seen as a significant blow to the Naxal movement in Karnataka.

Parameshwara further noted that the police operation had been launched after the state recently detected renewed Naxal activity. “We thought the Naxal movement had been largely contained in Karnataka, but last week we received intelligence about the presence of other Naxal leaders, Raju and Latha, in the state,” he said. This prompted the authorities to initiate a comprehensive combing operation, which culminated in the encounter with Gowda.

The state government, however, continues its efforts to reintegrate former Naxalites into mainstream society. “We have made significant progress in bringing Naxals to the mainstream, especially in the Pavagada region of Tumakuru district, through dialogue and rehabilitation programs,” Parameshwara added. “We remain committed to providing opportunities for those Naxals who wish to surrender their weapons and lead normal lives. While we support the rehabilitation process, these kinds of confrontations may still occur when individuals attempt to flee from the police in forested areas.”

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