THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Hazaribagh, Sept 15: Security forces achieved a major breakthrough in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh on Monday morning when a joint team of CRPF and Jharkhand Police gunned down three top Naxals of the banned CPI (Maoist), including Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh, a Central Committee member carrying a reward of ₹1 crore, along with ₹25 lakh bounty holder Raghunath and ₹10 lakh bounty holder Birsen.
Encounter with Sahdev Soren’s squad
The encounter took place in the forested area of Pantitri under Gorhar police station area, near the Bokaro-Giridih border, where the squad of dreaded CPI (Maoist) leader Sahdev Soren was active.
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The joint operation involved CoBRA, Giridih Police, and Hazaribagh Police. Following the exchange of fire, security forces launched a massive search operation and recovered the bodies of the three Maoists.
The deceased were identified as:
- Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh: Central Committee member, ₹1 crore bounty.
- Raghunath Hembram alias Chanchal: Special Area Committee member, ₹25 lakh bounty.
- Birsen Ganjhu: Zonal Commander, ₹10 lakh bounty.
Weapons recovered from the site
Three AK-47 rifles were also seized from the spot. Security forces continue to comb the area amid suspicions that more Maoists may have been injured in the encounter.
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Declared most wanted months ago
The operation is being hailed as a major success for Jharkhand Police and central forces. Sahdev Soren had been involved in several major Maoist incidents, and had been on the radar of security agencies for a long time. A bounty of ₹1 crore had been announced on him only a few months ago.
