In a landmark victory against Maoist insurgency, security forces in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district eliminated 15 Naxals, including the top commander with a Rs 1 crore bounty, in the dense Saranda forests on Thursday. The intense gunfight marks the most significant success in the state’s anti-Naxal campaign to date.
Patiram Manjhi alias Unal Da, a key Maoist strategist with rewards totaling over Rs 2 crore from Jharkhand, Odisha, and NIA, led the group. Among the deceased were three women Naxals: Anmol alias Sushant, Amit Munda, Pintu Lohra, Laljit alias Lalu, Rajesh Munda, Bulbul Alda, Babita, Purnima, Surajmuni, and Jonga. Many had multiple high-value bounties and faced dozens of serious charges across states.
CRPF IG Saket Kumar Singh detailed how Operation Medha Buru unfolded around 6:30 AM near Kiriburu police station. Joint teams from 209 Cobra, Jharkhand Jaguar, CRPF, and local police launched the assault. The Naxals responded with heavy firing, prompting retaliatory action that lasted several rounds.
Recovered from the site were 15 bodies, a cache of sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and daily supplies, underscoring the group’s entrenched presence in the Kolhan region’s jungles. Unal Da, originally from Giridih’s Piratand, had orchestrated numerous IED blasts and violent attacks since 2022.
This operation is expected to cripple Naxal activities along the Odisha border, reducing active militants in Jharkhand to 50-60. Authorities urge remaining insurgents to surrender and benefit from rehabilitation schemes. Intensified searches and reinforcements continue in the area.