PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Nov 7: A major anti-Naxal operation conducted jointly by Jharkhand Police and the 209 CoBRA Battalion led to a fierce gun battle in the Saranda forest region last evening.
The encounter took place in the Kulapu Buru area under the Jaraikela police station in West Singhbhum district.
According to officials, the joint team was carrying out an intensified anti-Naxalite combing operation when armed Naxalites opened fire, prompting security forces to retaliate.
After a heavy exchange of fire, the area was thoroughly searched, leading to the recovery of a significant stockpile of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials believed to have been left behind by the fleeing insurgents.
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Items recovered from the encounter site include:
* 2 SLR rifles
* 1 .303 rifle
* 37 live AK-47 rounds
* 78 live SLR rounds
* 130 live .303 rounds
* Magazines: 1 for 7.62 mm, 2 for SLR, and 1 for .303 rifle
* 6 gelatin packets (2.78 kg each, total 16.68 kg)
* 13 ready-to-use gelatine IEDs with detonators
* 10 electric detonators
* 5 non-electric detonators
* 5 radio sets
* 2 interceptors
* 24 syringes
* 20 plastic pipes (6″) used for IED fabrication
* 1 ASUS laptop and 1 Lenovo laptop
* 11 FM radios and other miscellaneous materials
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Security forces have intensified operations in the region to prevent regrouping attempts by Naxal cadres.
According to Jharkhand police continuous search operations are underway to ensure the complete dismantling of naxal influence in Saranda and surrounding areas.
