Security Forces Clash with Maoists in Jharkhand, Resulting in Fatalities

Fatal Encounter in Bokaro District

On Wednesday, a confrontation between security personnel and two suspected Maoists occurred in Bokaro district, Jharkhand, leading to the deaths of both Maoists, as reported by local sources.

During the exchange, a member of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also lost his life. Kranthi Kumar Gadidesi, the Inspector General of Police for Bokaro Zone, confirmed this information. Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, identified the fallen CRPF officer as Parneswar Koch from Kokrajhar district and paid his respects.

The clash unfolded around 5:30 AM in the Birhordera forest area, involving the police and the CoBRA unit of the CRPF, according to reports from a local media outlet.

Harvinder Singh, the Superintendent of Police, indicated that the operation was ongoing.

This incident took place in the Lugu Pahar region, recognized as a Maoist stronghold, following intelligence regarding the movement of suspected Maoists.

In 2023, security forces have reportedly killed 21 suspected Maoists in 14 separate encounters throughout Jharkhand.

In the Bastar area of neighboring Chhattisgarh, over 400 suspected Maoists were reported killed in the 2024-2025 period, as stated by Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai.

In 2024 alone, security forces in Chhattisgarh accounted for 217 suspected Maoist fatalities.

Reports indicate that while many of those killed in Chhattisgarh were labeled as reward-carrying Maoists, some families contest these claims, asserting that the deceased were civilians.

The Union government has consistently pledged to eradicate Maoism by March 31, 2026.