Woman Maoist Neutralised in Fresh Encounter in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest

Chaibasa/Ranchi - Security forces achieved another breakthrough in the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand’s Saranda forest after a woman Maoist was killed in a fresh encounter on Friday morning, officials said.

The gunfight occurred between the remote villages of Kumdi and Hinjodiri under the Kiriburu police station limits in the Naxal-affected West Singhbhum district. With this latest incident, the total number of Maoists killed during the operation has increased to 16.

A day earlier, 15 Maoists — including CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da, who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore — were killed in a major encounter in the dense Saranda forests. Five of those neutralised were women.

CRPF Inspector General Saket Kumar Singh said the encounter took place during Operation Medha Buru, launched around 6.30 a.m. on Thursday by a joint force comprising 209 CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, CRPF and district police units. According to him, Anal Da’s squad opened indiscriminate fire, prompting security personnel to retaliate in self-defence.

After several rounds of exchange, the bodies of 15 Maoists were recovered on Thursday along with a large cache of arms, ammunition and daily-use items. Many of those killed were carrying cash rewards and were wanted in multiple Naxal-related cases.

Security officials said the elimination of Anal Da is expected to significantly weaken Maoist operations along the Jharkhand–Odisha border. Search operations continue in the Saranda region with additional forces deployed.

With inputs from IANS