Two Security Personnel Martyred in Gunfight with Maoists in Jharkhand’s Palamu

Palamu- Two police jawans lost their lives and another was critically injured during a fierce encounter with Maoists belonging to the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, officials reported on Thursday.

The gun battle broke out in the dense Kedal forest under Manatu police station between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when a police team was carrying out a search operation.

Palamu Superintendent of Police (SP) Reeshma Ramesan confirmed the deaths.

According to intelligence inputs, dreaded TSPC zonal commander Shashikant Ganjhu, carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, was expected to visit his native village Kedal during the Karma festival. When security forces closed in, Ganjhu and his squad ambushed them, opening heavy fire. The police retaliated, resulting in an exchange of bullets.

Three jawans were hit in the crossfire and taken to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj, where two were declared dead. The martyrs were identified as Santan Kumar and Sunil Ram. One of them was serving as the bodyguard of Palamu Additional SP.

The third injured jawan remains in critical condition.

The Kedal–Manatu area is known as a stronghold of the TSPC, led by Ganjhu, who continues to orchestrate extortion and violent activities across Palamu and Chatra districts.

Security forces have since launched an intensified combing operation in the surrounding villages. SP Ramesan paid tribute to the fallen jawans, saying their sacrifice would not go in vain.

With inputs from IANS