Chaibasa: In a joint operation by police and security forces, at least two Maoists were killed Wednesday morning in the Sonua police station area of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. The operation also resulted in the recovery of weapons and related items belonging to the Maoists.
Chaibasa Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar confirmed the incident, stating that a search operation is ongoing in the area. Although the identities of the deceased are not yet officially confirmed, one of them is believed to be Sanjay Ganjhu, a zonal commander for the CPI(Maoist).
The SP had received intelligence indicating that an armed squad of Maoists had established a camp in the forests of the Sonua police station area, planning a significant attack. Acting on this information, a coordinated team of district police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers encircled the area and initiated a search.
During the operation, the Maoists opened fire as security forces approached, prompting a retaliatory response. In the gunfight that followed, two Maoists were killed, although other members of their group managed to flee into the dense forest.
This marks the second significant encounter in Jharkhand within a week; on January 22, another operation in the Tejnarayanpur police station area of Bokaro district led to the deaths of two Maoists, identified as Shanti and Manoj Baske. Shanti, an Area Commander, was from Dhavatand village under the Khukhara police station, while Manoj was from the Pirtand area in Giridih district.
Security forces continue their efforts in the region to disrupt Maoist activities and ensure community safety.