In a significant breakthrough against Naxalism, security forces in Jharkhand have successfully neutralised 17 Naxals during an encounter in the West Singhbhum district. The operation was conducted under the leadership of the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand, involving joint efforts of Jharkhand Police, COBRA, CRPF, and Jharkhand Jaguar units.
The encounter took place in the dense forest and hilly areas around Kumdih and Bahda villages in the Kolhan-Saranda region, triggered by precise intelligence inputs about a major planned attack by Naxal cadres. Among those killed was Anil, alias Patiram Manjhi, a top leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) with a reward of over one crore rupees. Other key figures included Anmol alias Sushant with a 25 lakh rupees bounty, Amit Munda with a 15 lakh rupees reward, and several ACM and cadre-level operatives.
The Naxals opened indiscriminate fire intending to harm the security personnel, who responded with courage and restraint. Following the encounter, an extensive search operation recovered numerous weapons including AK/AKM rifles, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, large quantities of ammunition, and essential daily supplies from the site.
Security authorities highlighted that continuous anti-Naxal campaigns in West Singhbhum have led to the arrest of 183 Naxals over the past three years and the killing of 11 in previous encounters. The recent operation delivers a major setback to the Maoist organisation, expected to significantly reduce insurgent activities in the Saranda region going forward.
The Jharkhand Police have appealed to those involved in Naxal activities to abandon violence and avail themselves of the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy to reintegrate into mainstream society.
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