In a landmark victory against Naxal insurgency, security forces in Jharkhand have eliminated 17 hardcore Maoists, including a high-profile leader with a Rs 1 crore bounty, during intense clashes in West Singhbhum district. The operation unfolded in the dense Kolhan-Saranda forests, a notorious Naxal stronghold, under the joint efforts of Jharkhand Police, CoBRA, CRPF, and Jharkhand Jaguars.
Acting on precise intelligence about a large group of rebels plotting a major attack near Kumdih and Bahda villages in the Chhotanagara police station area, a specialized team launched a targeted mission on January 22 and 23. The Naxals, led by top commander Anlal alias Patiram Manjhi and his deputy Anmol alias Sushant, unleashed a barrage of gunfire to ambush the forces. Security personnel responded with calculated precision, engaging in fierce firefights that lasted several hours.
Post-encounter searches yielded 17 Naxal bodies, a massive haul of weapons including AK rifles, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, ammunition, and daily supplies. Among the slain were Anlal (Rs 1 crore reward), Anmol (Rs 25 lakh), Amit Munda (Rs 15 lakh), Pintu Lohra, Laljit alias Lalu, Samir Sorren, and Rapa alias Pavel, along with several area committee members and cadres.
This success marks a significant blow to the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, which has been reeling from sustained anti-Naxal campaigns. Over the past three years, 183 rebels have been arrested in West Singhbhum, with 11 previously killed in encounters. Officials anticipate a sharp decline in Maoist activities in the Saranda region, paving the way for development and normalcy.
Jharkhand Police urged remaining insurgents to abandon violence, surrender under the state’s rehabilitation policy, and reintegrate into mainstream society. This operation exemplifies the forces’ unwavering commitment to eradicating Left-Wing Extremism from the state’s heartland.
