UditVani, Jamshedpur : In one of the biggest successes against Left Wing Extremism in Jharkhand, security forces neutralised at least 15 Maoists, including top leader Anal Da alias Patiram Manjhi, during an intense encounter in the Saranda forest area of West Singhbhum district on Thursday morning.
According to official information released by the Police Headquarters’ Media Cell, the encounter began around 6 am on Thursday, when a Maoist squad came face to face with joint teams of armed security forces during an anti-Naxal operation.
Intermittent firing continued for several hours as forces launched a systematic search and cordon operation in the dense forest terrain.
During the search, security personnel recovered 15 bodies of Maoists along with a large cache of arms, ammunition and daily-use materials.
Among those killed, the identity of senior Maoist leader Anal Da, also known as Patiram Manjhi, has been confirmed.
He was a Central Committee Member (CCM) of the banned CPI (Maoist) and carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head, making him one of the most wanted extremists in the region.
Kolhan DIG Anuranjan Kispotta confirmed the major development, terming it a decisive blow to Maoist activities in the Saranda and Kolhan region.
Police officials said the operation marks the biggest anti-Naxal success in Chaibasa in recent years and significantly weakens the Maoist network operating in the forested belt.
Security forces remain deployed in the area, and search operations are still underway to rule out the presence of any remaining extremists.
Detailed information regarding the encounter and the seized materials will be shared during a formal press briefing, police officials said.
The successful operation underscores the intensified and sustained campaign by Jharkhand Police and central forces to dismantle Maoist strongholds and restore peace and security in the region.
