THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, January 24: In a major breakthrough against Naxalism in Jharkhand, security forces killed 17 CPI (Maoist) cadres, including top leaders carrying high cash rewards, during a massive anti-Naxal operation in the Kolhan–Saranda region of Chaibasa. Officials said the operation marks a significant step towards making Jharkhand Naxal-free.
The details were shared during a joint press conference addressed by Jharkhand Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra and CRPF Inspector General Saket Singh on Saturday.
Senior officers present included IG Operations Michael Raj S, IG Jharkhand Jaguar Anoop Birathare, DIG Indrajeet Mahtha, DIG Anuranjan Kerketta, SP Amit Renu, and other officials.
Operation Based on Precise Intelligence
According to police, specific intelligence inputs indicated that top Maoist leaders Anal and Anmol, along with their armed squad, were planning a major attack in the forest areas of Kumdih and Bahda villages under Chotanagra police station limits in West Singhbhum district.
Acting swiftly on the information, a joint team of Jharkhand Police, CRPF, and COBRA Battalion 209 launched a special anti-Naxal operation in the dense forest region.
Two-Day Fierce Encounter in Forest Terrain
The encounter took place on January 22 and 23 in the difficult, hilly forest terrain of Kumdih village. Officials said the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire after finding themselves surrounded by security forces.
The forces responded with controlled fire and bravery. Following the encounter, an extensive search operation was carried out, during which the bodies of 17 Naxalites were recovered from the area.
Top Maoist Leaders Eliminated
Among those killed were several senior Maoist operatives with long criminal histories and heavy bounties:
- Patiram Manjhi, CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member, reward ₹2.35 crore, involved in 149 cases
- Anmol alias Sushant, reward ₹90 lakh, involved in 149 cases
- Amit Munda, reward ₹62 lakh, involved in 96 cases
- Rapa alias Pavel, reward ₹32 lakh, involved in 24 cases
- Pintu Lohra, reward ₹5 lakh, involved in 47 cases
- Laljit, reward ₹5 lakh
- Samir Soren, reward ₹5 lakh, involved in eight cases
- Surajmuni, reward ₹1 lakh, involved in 11 cases
- Rajesh Munda, involved in 14 cases
- Bulbul Alda, involved in eight cases
- Babita, involved in 16 cases
- Purnima, involved in five cases
- Jonga, involved in one case
- Somwari Purti, involved in four cases
- Soma Honhana
- Mukti Honhana
- Sarita
Huge Cache of Weapons Seized
Security forces recovered a large cache of modern weapons and ammunition from the encounter site, including four AK-47 rifles, four INSAS rifles, three SLRs, three other rifles, hundreds of cartridges, and other daily-use items.
Major Blow to Maoist Network in Jharkhand
Officials said the latest operation has dealt a strong blow to the Maoist network in Jharkhand, particularly in the Chaibasa and Saranda belt, which has long been a Naxal stronghold.
Over the past three years, sustained operations by Jharkhand Police and CRPF have resulted in the arrest of 183 Naxalites, while 28 Maoists have been killed in encounters.
The successful operation, officials said, reinforces the state’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism from Jharkhand and restore peace and development in affected regions.