Maoist killed at Saranda in West Singhbhum

Jamshedpur: In a high-intensity anti-insurgency operation deep inside the Tonto–Goelkera forest belt of West Singhbhum, elite units of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action gunned down a Maoist during a prolonged early morning encounter on Wednesday, while intensifying the manhunt for top insurgent commander Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of  Rs 1 crore.

Acting on precise intelligence inputs, troops of the 209 CoBRA Battalion, supported by local police, launched a coordinated combing operation in the dense forest stretches near Rutugutu under the Goelkera police station limits.  The forces had been sweeping the adjoining pockets of Boroi and Tunbera for the past two days, anticipating the movement of a Maoist squad reportedly led by Besra.

At around 4:30 am, security personnel came under heavy fire as they advanced through thick foliage, triggering a fierce exchange that lasted several hours. Demonstrating tactical superiority, the forces retaliated effectively, forcing the insurgents to retreat into the forest cover. 

After the gunfire ceased, one Maoist was found dead at the site. His identity could not  be established immediately.Security teams recovered a self-loading rifle (SLR) along with ammunition and other incriminating materials, indicating the presence of a well-armed group operating in the area. 

Officials believe several other Maoists managed to escape, taking advantage of the challenging terrain and dense vegetation.The encounter assumes significance as it comes amid renewed efforts to track down Misir Besra, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), who has remained elusive for years despite multiple operations. 

Known for orchestrating major attacks and maintaining stronghold networks in the Saranda and Kolhan regions, Besra is considered a key strategist within the Maoist hierarchy. Following the operation, additional reinforcements have been deployed and the entire forest corridor has been placed under tight surveillance to prevent any regrouping or escape. 

Senior police officials confirmed that the search operation is ongoing, with aerial and ground intelligence being utilised to flush out the remaining insurgents. West Singhbhum, particularly the Saranda forest region, has long been a hotspot of Left-Wing Extremism due to its difficult terrain and strategic location along inter-state borders. 

However, sustained offensives by security forces in recent years have significantly weakened Maoist infrastructure, forcing cadres to operate in smaller, scattered groups. Authorities reiterated that such operations will continue with renewed intensity until the region is completely rid of insurgent influence, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach towards extremism.