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Twelve Maoists, including four children, were killed in a fierce encounter with Palamu police and Cobra CRPF near Palamu Ranchi highway late on Monday night. Maoist Zonal Commander Anuragjee, alias RK jee, was said to be among those dead.
Seven weapons, including an INSAS rifle and 300 live cartridges, were seized from the spot. The police, however, have not yet released the names of the dead. A top Maoist involved in the Latehar “bomb in stomach” case is believed to be among those dead in the encounter, but there is no confirmation so far.
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Palamau IG A Natrajan confirmed the killing and said the dead included four minors. Police had information about Maoists passing through Bakoria village under Satbarwa police station last evening. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Palamau police and CRPF laid the trap at Bhalwahi village.
The police stopped the Maoists, who were traveling in two Scorpio cars, and asked them to surrender. While one vehicle sped away, the Naxalites from the other vehicle got down and opened fire at the police, Additional Director General of Police (Operation) S N Pradhan said.
The Maoists were on their way to collect hafta and threaten some Bidi patta contractors, Pradhan said.
Local sources said that those killed were ultras, but the killing of four children has raised questions. The police are under pressure to release complete details of the slain.
This is the first major incident in Jharkhand after Maoists had ambushed a police vehicle in Dumka on April 20 last year when the police party were returning after completion of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. Eight persons, including six policemen, were killed by the Maoists in that incident.
with PTI inputs
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