Major Blow to Maoists: Three Leaders Eliminated in Jharkhand Encounter
Significant Police Operation in Jharkhand
New Delhi: In a decisive encounter on Wednesday morning, police and security forces in Jharkhand killed three Maoists affiliated with the outlawed Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP).
The clash occurred in the dense forests of Kechki, located within the jurisdiction of the Bishunpur police station in Gumla district.
Authorities have identified the deceased as Lalu Lohra, Chhotu Oraon, and Sujeet Oraon. Both Lalu and Chhotu held the rank of sub-zonal commanders within JJMP, each with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on their heads. Sujeet was an active member of the group. Lalu hailed from Lohardaga district, Chhotu from Latehar, and Sujeet also from Lohardaga.
Gumla Police reported the recovery of advanced weaponry at the encounter site, including an AK-47 rifle belonging to Lalu Lohra. Additional firearms and ammunition were also seized from the trio.
A thorough search operation is currently being conducted in the nearby forest areas to ensure no other insurgents are present.
This incident marks the fourth anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand this month, raising the total number of Naxals killed in September to eight.
Previously, on September 15, three prominent Maoists—Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh (with a Rs one crore bounty), Raghunath Hembram (Rs 25 lakh), and Veer Sen Ganjhu (Rs 10 lakh)—were killed in an encounter in Gorhar, Hazaribagh district.
On September 14, Mukhdev Yadav, a Maoist with a Rs 5 lakh bounty, was neutralized in a clash with the banned TSPC (Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee) in Palamu’s Manatu forest. Earlier, on September 7, security forces eliminated Amit Hansda alias Upton, a Maoist with a Rs 10 lakh bounty, in Goilkera, West Singhbhum district.
According to Jharkhand Police, a total of 32 Maoists have been killed in operations this year, averaging three Naxals per month. It is estimated that between 100 to 150 Maoists remain active in the state.
Police records indicate a list of 13 most-wanted Maoists, including Misir Besra, Patiram Manjhi, and Aseem Mandal, each with a bounty of Rs one crore. Other notable names include Anmol, Mochhu, Ajay Mahato, Agen Angaria, Ashwin, Pintu Lohra, Chandan Lohra, Jaykant, and Rapa Munda.
The largest anti-Naxal operation of the year took place on April 21, resulting in the deaths of eight Maoists, including the Rs one crore bounty leader Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, in Luggu Pahad, Bokaro district.
Jharkhand Police, in collaboration with central paramilitary forces, are implementing a long-term strategy aimed at eradicating Naxalism from the state by March 2026.