RAIPUR: Security forces in Maoist-hit areas of Chhattisgarh have changed tactic and are going after the rebels even in monsoon, traditionally the Maoist 'hibernating period'. The aggressive strategy has led to the killing of 24 rebels and arrest of 145. Maoists earlier used the rainy season to recruit, restock and rearm. But the forces' Op Monsoon has taken them by surprise. As many as 35 Maoists have surrendered in the first few weeks of the rains. DIG (anti-Maoist operations) P Sundarraj told TOI, "So far, 2018 has been the best monsoon for troopers in Chhattisgarh. Security forces are relentlessly carrying out offensive operations in core Maoist areas this year. The strategy of offensive operations, coupled with proactive development even in the interiors, has started yielding results."Maoists prefer to lie low during this time, train new recruits and strategize and they felt rather safe doing it because the dense foliage, hill streams and swollen rivers make it difficult for forces to move in the jungles. Even the forces would scale down offensive ops during monsoon.Suddenly, the forces tilted the scales this season. "Our soldiers have been undergoing tough training for the past two years to carry out operations during monsoon as forest roads get washed away, routes change and bridges break. Simply carrying arms and ammunition on wet uniforms and wearing wet shoes is a difficult task in itself," Sundarraj said, adding that the specialized training and combat ops gave them the edge.Brigadier (retd) B K Ponwar, director of Jungle Warfare College in Kanker, who trains paramilitary troopers to "fight the guerilla like a guerilla", said jawans have been trained to keep going despite all odds in all seasons. "This gives no break to Maoists and the pressure builds up. The best strategy is to attack enemies when they expect it least. Security personnel have been trained to walk through rivers and rivulets - they were told that if you keep walking in wet clothes and shoes, they will dry up eventually," he added."Over time, after gaining experience from previous operations, they got seasoned. They know what to carry and are well equipped, trained and highly motivated," said the DIG. The speed with which roads are being built in the interiors has improved connectivity, he added."It's not that Maoists go back home during monsoon. They are present in the forest throughout the year but not very active during rains. It's during this time they call for meetings to plot strategy and recruit people. They prefer to stay in villages because the locals whom they hire for 'sentry' duty to guard the outer perimeter of their base can't stand in rain for 24 hours," the DIG said.Now, security forces aren't giving the rebels any breather. The relentless pressure is forcing Maoists to change their hideouts frequently, which makes them vulnerable. They end up making mistakes too. The tactics is bearing fruit as 145 cadres have been arrested in just one and a half months, said an officer.Forces have recovered 24 bodies of rebels since June 1 and seized 32 firearms (including a Thomson submachine gun ), ammunition, IEDs and other Maoist material. Three Insas rifles, three .303 rifles, two pistols, two .315 rifles have been recovered.Simultaneously, security forces are trying to win over hearts and minds of the local population through various community outreach programmes and extending help to needy villagers besides strengthening local intelligence. Twice in recent weeks, security forces out on combing missions helped reach ailing villagers to hospital.

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