Soon after losing two of its personnel in a Maoist ambush, Jharkhand Police achieved a major breakthrough on Sunday when a wanted Maoist of the Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) was gunned down in an encounter in the Manatu forests of Palamu district.
The slain Maoist has been identified as Mukhdeo Yadav, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head. His body, along with an INSAS rifle, was recovered from the site, Palamu SP Rishma Rameshan confirmed.
According to officials, the operation began in the early hours and continued for several hours as security forces exchanged heavy gunfire with the TSPC squad.
More than 200 personnel from the Cobra Battalion, Jharkhand Jaguar, and Palamu Police were deployed for the mission.
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Officials said the Maoists opened fire as soon as the forces entered the dense forest, prompting retaliatory fire in which Yadav was neutralised. At least 8–10 Maoists are suspected to be hiding in the area under Ganjhu’s leadership.
The encounter comes less than two weeks after TSPC cadres killed two Palamu policemen during an operation in Kedal, Manatu. Police said Sunday’s action was part of a larger offensive aimed at eliminating the same squad responsible for that attack.
“Security forces have encircled the entire area and search operations are underway. Entry into the forest has been restricted,” police sources said, adding that the ultimate target of the ongoing operation is TSPC chief Shashikant Ganjhu, who carries a bounty of Rs 10 lakh.
Security forces described the offensive as one of the biggest operations launched in recent years in Palamu.
“The operation will continue until the entire squad is wiped out,” a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, villagers in adjoining areas have been advised to remain alert as combing operations continue.
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