In a fierce gunbattle that erupted early Thursday morning in the dense Saranda forests of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, security forces engaged a group of heavily armed Naxalites. Reports indicate several militants have been neutralized, though official casualty figures remain unconfirmed as operations continue.
The encounter began around dawn when joint teams of police and paramilitary forces, acting on specific intelligence about Naxal presence near Kumbhidih village under Chhotanagara police station, launched a search operation. The Naxals, lying in ambush, opened indiscriminate fire, prompting a robust retaliatory response from the security personnel.
Kolhan division DIG Anuranjan Kispotta confirmed the ongoing operation, stating that the area has been cordoned off with additional forces deployed. Senior officers are on the ground overseeing the mission. Jharkhand Police spokesperson and IG Operations Michael Raj added that intermittent firing persists, with significant losses inflicted on the Maoists.
Preliminary reports suggest the body of a top Naxal commander with a Rs 50 lakh bounty, along with several associates, has been recovered. Weapons, ammunition, and daily use items were seized from the site. Sources describe the deceased as key organizational figures wanted in multiple cases.
This clash marks the first major Naxal-security forces confrontation in 2026. Recent months have seen intensified anti-Naxal drives in Chaibasa and surrounding areas. In June 2025, four militants including a senior commander were eliminated in Tonto and Goilkera. Last year alone, over 25 Naxals were gunned down across the state, signaling a sustained crackdown on left-wing extremism.