Security forces have dealt a severe blow to Naxal insurgents hiding in the dense Saranda forests of Jharkhand. In an ongoing encounter spanning over 36 hours, 21 Naxals have been killed so far. Following the confirmation of 15 deaths on Thursday, six more bodies were recovered on Friday.
Among the dead was the feared Naxal leader Patiram Manjhi, alias Anil Da, who carried a reward exceeding Rs 2 crore. He was surrounded along with 25 other fighters during the operation. Anil Da was a key figure, heading the Maoists’ military commission and was involved in several major attacks against security forces in the Kolhan region.
The joint operation conducted by CRPF and Jharkhand Police targeted the insurgents in the thick forests of Saranda, West Singhbhum district. After the Naxals opened fire, security forces responded decisively, turning the tide of the encounter.
Anil Da had a bounty of Rs 1 crore from the Jharkhand government, Rs 1.2 crore from Odisha, and Rs 15 lakh from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Another significant Naxal leader killed was the sector commander Anmol, alias Sushant, who had a Rs 25 lakh reward and an additional Rs 65 lakh bounty from Odisha.
More than a dozen of the deceased Naxals have been identified, including several women combatants. The operation also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and explosives during search efforts following the encounter that began early Thursday morning between the villages of Kumdi and Honjodiri in Kiriburu, Chaibasa.
IG Campaign Michael Raj confirmed that helicopters and drones are being used to track remaining Naxals as the operation continues. He stated that this offensive has significantly weakened the Maoist organisation in the region.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
