A Maoist and a CRPF jawan were killed in a gunfight in Jharkhand's Bokaro district on Wednesday morning, said the police officials. A civilian was also killed after being caught in the crossfire. Police had earlier identified him as another Maoist.
One of the slain Maoists is Kunwar Manjhi, who had a reward of ₹5 lakh on his head. The officials informed that the gunfight between Maoists and security forces started in the Birhordera forest, which is near the Gomia police station, at around 5:30 in the morning.
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DGP Anurag Gupta said an AK-47 rifle was recovered from the spot, and the search operation is still going on.
"The mortal remains of the CRPF jawan are being brought to Ranchi, where a wreath-laying ceremony will be held. Thereafter, his body will be sent to his home," he added.
Gupta said 95 per cent of Jharkhand's Naxal problems have been eliminated.
"Since January, over 20 top Naxals have either been killed or arrested or have surrendered," he said.
According to senior police officials, security forces had started an operation in the forest on the information of the movement of Maoists. Several Maoist rebels are reported to have been shot in the firing. Bokaro's SP Harvinder Singh informed that a search was underway in the area following the encounter.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the CRPF jawan hailed from Kokrajhar in his state.
"Assam's braveheart and Maa Bharti's son CT/GD Parneswar Koch of Kokrajhar attained martyrdom fighting naxals in Jharkhand, early this morning," he posted on X.
"We will always be there to support them (his family) and this sacrifice will not go in vain as our forces unleash their power to eliminate naxalism from the face of the earth," the post added.
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