Jhiram Valley Maoist attack case ‘rarest of rare': court order

In 2013, a Maoist attack on a convoy of Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh's Jhiram Valley resulted in the deaths of 27 people, according to a recent judgment by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court. The court revealed that the attack had been meticulously planned over a period of months, involving route surveys, cadre mobilisation, and mock rehearsals.

The attack took place on May 25, 2013, and was carried out by about 100 Maoists, accompanied by Jan Militia members from the Kanger Valley area. They established temporary command centres on both sides of the road and used weapons such as AK-series rifles, self-loading rifles, light machine guns, .303 rifles, grenades, and country-made firearms.

The convoy was targeted after a hill had been flanked by the Maoists, who had also planted explosives along the route. As the convoy reached the area, the Maoists cut trees and placed them across the road, bringing the vehicles to a halt. After security personnel ran out of ammunition, the Maoists began searching the vehicles and people for specific political leaders.

One of the victims, Nand Kumar Patel, was identified by one of the Maoist leaders, Karma, who had been a prominent leader of the Salwa Judum anti-Maoist campaign. Despite being asked to surrender, Karma was shot and killed by the Maoists along with his son Dinesh Patel, personal security officer Kawasi Lakhma, and driver Dasharam.

The Maoists later celebrated the death of Karma and took the other victims away for further actions.