• Major Encounter in Bokaro: Top Maoist Leader Among Eight Militants Killed in Lugupahad Forests.
Bulletin India, Desk.
Bokaro : In a major success for the security forces in Jharkhand, a fierce encounter took place early this morning between security personnel and Maoist insurgents in the foothills of the Lugu Pahad region under Jageshwar Vihar police station limits in Bokaro district. The operation resulted in the killing of at least eight Maoists, including top-ranking leaders.
According to police sources, among those neutralized was Central Committee member Prayag Manjhi, a dreaded Maoist carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Initial reports suggest that over half a dozen high-profile Maoists were gunned down during the exchange of fire. The identities of all the deceased are currently being verified.
The encounter was a result of a planned operation following intelligence inputs about the movement of a large group of Maoists through the Lugu Pahad area. Acting on the information, a joint team of Bokaro police and central paramilitary forces launched a combing operation in the region. The Maoists, upon being intercepted, opened fire on the security forces, leading to a fierce gun battle.
Sources at the Jharkhand Police Headquarters confirmed that the operation is still ongoing, with security personnel continuing a combing and search operation in the surrounding forest areas to ensure no insurgents escape.
This action comes in the wake of a high-level meeting convened recently by Jharkhand Director General of Police Anurag Gupta in Chaibasa, where senior officials reviewed the state’s anti-Maoist strategy. Following the meeting, intensified operations were launched in several districts, including Bokaro.
Police officials also revealed that today’s encounter involved Maoists from the group led by Vivek, another top Maoist leader. Several of his close aides are believed to have been killed in the encounter. As of now, eight bodies have been recovered from the site.
Further updates are awaited as the search operation continues in the dense forest terrain. Security forces have been asked to stay on high alert, and reinforcements have been sent to the area.
This operation marks a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region and is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the ongoing anti-insurgency efforts in Jharkhand.