Premium

Naxalite killed in encounter with security forces in Jharkhand’s Palamu

The gun battle involved over 200 personnel from the CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and Palamu police units.

The gun battle began around 7 am and involved over 200 personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Jharkhand Jaguar, and Palamu police units. (File Photo)

A Naxalite was killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Manatu in the Palamu district of Jharkhand Sunday morning, said the police.

The identity of the Naxalite is yet to be officially confirmed, though the police said he was “most probably” Mukhdev Yadav, a commander of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh. An INSAS rifle was also recovered from the spot.

The gun battle began around 7 am and involved over 200 personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Jharkhand Jaguar, and Palamu police units.

“There was an exchange of fire between the combined teams of CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and Palamu Police with the TSPC squad led by Shashikant, with a Rs 10 lakh reward. One body has been recovered along with an INSAS rifle. It is most probably that of Mukhdev Yadav, but final confirmation will only be made once his family identifies the body,” Palamu SP Reeshma Ramesan told The Indian Express.

The encounter comes less than two weeks after two policemen were killed and another critically injured in Kedal forest under the Manatu police station during a similar anti-Maoist operation against the same TSPC squad.

Acting on intelligence that militants were camping in Kedal and planning a strike, security forces had moved in when they came under heavy fire. In the exchange, policemen Santan Kumar Mehta and Sunil Ram, both residents of Haidarnagar, were killed, while another jawan, Rohit Kumar, sustained serious bullet injuries and underwent surgery in Daltonganj.

Since then, security forces have launched an intensified campaign in the border forests of Manatu, Tarhasi, and Chatra to neutralise the group.

Story continues below this ad

Police sources said the current operation specifically targets the squad led by TSPC commander Shashikant Ganjhu, believed to have 8–10 active members, including another wanted cadre, Nagina.

The operation is still going on, said police sources.

Shubham Tigga

Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Jharkhand