Chaibasa, Jharkhand — In a significant development in India’s counter-insurgency operations, at least 15 Maoist rebels, including senior leader Patiram Majhi — also known as Anal Da — were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense Saranda Forest region of West Singhbhum district on Thursday, police said.
The exchange of fire took place early in the morning near Kumdi village under the Kiriburu police station limits when a joint team of Jharkhand Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops launched a targeted anti-Maoist operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of high-value insurgents.
Senior Maoist Leader Among Those Killed
Patiram Majhi, alias Anal Da, was a central committee member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and carried a reward of ₹1 crore on his head for his role in orchestrating insurgent activities over many years. His influence extended across multiple districts including Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum, where he was considered a key strategist in strengthening Maoist operations.
Security officials confirmed that Majhi and several other rebels were killed after hours of intense gunfire, and their bodies were recovered by the forces. A substantial cache of arms, ammunition and other items was also seized at the encounter site, indicating the intensity of the clash.
Operation and Aftermath
The anti-Maoist operation involved a significant deployment of forces, including units of the CRPF’s CoBRA battalion, specially trained for forest and insurgency engagements. Additional security personnel were deployed to cordon off escape routes and conduct follow-up searches in the rugged terrain.
Police officials described the operation as a major success for counter-insurgency efforts in a region long considered a stronghold for left-wing extremist groups. The Saranda forest, known for its challenging geography and dense coverage, has been the focus of intensified security action aimed at dismantling the Maoist network.
Wider Context
The Maoist insurgency, often referred to as Naxalism, has been an ongoing security challenge in parts of central and eastern India. High-profile leaders like Patiram Majhi have been at the center of multiple criminal cases, including attacks on security forces, extortion, and explosives use.
Security forces have stepped up coordinated operations across forested regions of Jharkhand, Odisha and neighboring states in recent months, aiming to weaken insurgent structures and reduce violent incidents.
