Hyderabad, Feb. 23 -- In a major development under Operation Kagar, senior Maoist leader Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji has surrendered before the Telangana State Intelligence Bureau, sources said.

Devuji, a top commander and senior functionary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), laid down arms along with 16 other Maoists, including Central Committee member Rajireddy.

According to sources, as part of its intensified anti-Naxal campaign, the Centre recently rolled out Operation Kagar-2, focusing specifically on Devuji and Rajireddy.

The Centre has fixed March 31 as the deadline to eradicate Naxalism from the country.

The surrender marks a significant success for security agencies in their intensified anti-Naxal campaign....