Major Blow to Maoist Insurgency in Jharkhand as Security Forces Eliminate Four Senior Leaders
In a significant counter-insurgency operation, security forces gunned down four senior Maoist cadres during a fierce encounter in the dense Khapia forest of Hazaribag district, Jharkhand, on Friday. The operation, conducted along the sensitive border with Chatra district, marks a critical setback for the left-wing extremist group in the region.
High-Value Targets Neutralized with Substantial Bounties
Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan confirmed the identities of the slain Maoists, revealing they were all high-ranking members carrying substantial cash rewards. Shahdev Mahto, a regional committee member, was the most wanted with a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head and involvement in 41 criminal cases. Ranjit Ganjhu, a zonal committee member, carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh and was wanted in nine cases.
The other two eliminated were Natasha, a sub-zonal committee member originally from Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra who was involved in 17 cases, and Budhan Karmali, an area commander with a Rs 1 lakh bounty, wanted in ten cases across Jharkhand and Bihar.
Coordinated Operation 'KotiNeer' Based on Specific Intelligence
Acting on precise intelligence regarding the presence of senior Maoist leadership in the forest, security forces launched a meticulously planned search operation named 'KotiNeer' in the early morning hours. The operation was a joint effort between the elite 209 Battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and the Jharkhand state police.
At approximately 1 PM, the Maoist squad, sensing the advancing forces, initiated gunfire, sparking an intense exchange. "Police were conducting a search operation when the Maoists opened fire. The police retaliated with success. There has been no casualty on the police side," stated Anjani Kumar Jha, Deputy Inspector General of the North Chotanagpur range.
Geographic Origins and Post-Encounter Recoveries
The slain leaders hailed from various regions, indicating the pan-India network of the outfit. Mahto was from Kuthan village in Hazaribag, Ranjit from Satitand village in Chatra, and Budhan from Godwar village, also in Chatra. Natasha had traveled from Chhattisgarh to Jharkhand to bolster the Maoist presence there.
Following the encounter, security forces conducted a thorough search of the area, recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition. The seized arsenal includes:
- Two AK-47 rifles
- One Colt AR-15 rifle
- One Insas rifle
In addition to these high-caliber firearms, authorities also confiscated ammunition, Maoist literature, and various daily-use materials from the site.
Ongoing Operations and Official Statements
Security sources indicate that other Maoist cadres may have sustained injuries during the firefight. Combing operations have been intensified in the surrounding areas to locate any fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping. A search is actively underway to trace potential injured members.
Addressing the media in Ranchi, CRPF Inspector General Saket Singh emphasized the strategic importance of this operation. "With the elimination of these four senior Maoists, all members of the squad active in the Parasnath-Lugu-Jhumra area and the Hazaribag-Chatra border have been killed," he declared.
Singh issued a stern warning to remaining insurgents, urging them to surrender under the state government's policy. "Maoists should lay down their arms under the state government's surrender policy or else they would be either arrested or killed. Those still in the forests are causing significant difficulties for local villagers," he stated.
The official further noted that an estimated 57 to 60 Maoists remain active in the region, including a 50-strong squad led by politburo member Misir Besra, with presence in Chatra, Palamu, and Latehar districts.
This decisive action represents a major victory for security forces in their ongoing campaign to dismantle Maoist infrastructure in Jharkhand, enhancing safety and stability in the affected border regions.
