In a significant blow to left-wing extremism in Jharkhand, security forces neutralised fifteen Naxalites, including a top Maoist leader carrying a substantial bounty, during an intense early morning operation on Thursday. The encounter took place in the West Singhbhum district, specifically in the Saranda forest region, which remains the last stronghold of LWE extremists in the state.
Top Maoist Leader Among Those Eliminated
The most prominent among those killed was 51-year-old Patiram Majhi, widely known as Anal Da, who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head. Anal Da served as a central committee member (CCM) of the CPI (Maoist), the highest decision-making body of the banned Maoist outfit. He also held the position of secretary for the Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee.
Security officials revealed that Anal Da faced as many as 149 criminal cases registered across various police stations in Jharkhand. His elimination represents a major achievement in the ongoing campaign against Naxalism in the region.
Operation Details and Exchange of Fire
The joint operation, codenamed 'Meghaburu', involved personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and district police forces. Based on specific intelligence inputs about Maoist activities, the security teams launched the special operation in the deep forests of West Singhbhum.
According to IG CRPF Saket Singh, the gun battle commenced at approximately 6:20 AM and continued with intensive firing from both sides until 1:30 PM. "There has been an exchange of fire even after the Maoist bodies, arms, and ammunition have been recovered. The security forces have surrounded the area," Singh stated during a media briefing alongside Jharkhand Police officials.
The encounter occurred at Kumbhdih village under the Chotanagara police station limits. Sources indicated that Naxalite squads led by top commanders Lalchand Hembram alias Anmol and Patiram Majhi opened fire on security forces during a combing operation, prompting immediate retaliation.
Political Response and Future Targets
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a major success in making the region free of Naxals. Taking to social media platform X, Shah emphasized the government's determination to end Naxalism before March 31, 2026. "We are determined to end Naxalism, which has been synonymous with fear and terror for decades," he stated, while appealing to remaining Naxalites to abandon violence and join the mainstream.
Police have set a target to free Jharkhand from left-wing extremism by March of this year. With Thursday's operation marking the biggest in terms of Naxal fatalities, security forces expressed confidence in their progress. "Now the extremist strength in Jharkhand is around 60 to 65, and they have little chance to revive," announced IG Saket Singh.
Other Key Maoists Neutralised
Among the fifteen eliminated Naxalites were five women. Besides Anal Da, other significant Maoist figures killed in the operation include:
- Anmol alias Sushant - Bihar Jharkhand Special Area Committee member
- Amit Munda - Regional committee member
- Pintu Lohra and Laljit alias Laloo - Sub-zonal committee members
- Rajesh Munda, Bulbul Alada, Babita, Purnima, Surajmuni and Joga - Area committee members
Security forces revealed that with Patiram's elimination, three central committee members have been neutralised since 2025. However, top Maoist leaders including politburo member Misir Besra and CCM Asim Mandal remain at large.
Background and Strategic Importance
The operation was conducted after CRPF DG (Operations) Gyanendra Prasad Singh visited Chaibasa on January 19 to review anti-LWE efforts in the Saranda forest. Security forces had been specifically searching for Misir Besra alias Nirbhay, Asim Mondal, Patiram Majhi and four other leaders who have been commanding squads in the Saranda forest for an extended period.
DIG (Kolhan range) Anuranjan Kispotta explained that reinforcement teams immediately blocked escape routes of the extremists following the initial exchange, allowing for an extensive search operation. The security forces were conducting combing operations based on intelligence about Maoists allegedly planning violence around Republic Day celebrations.
Anal Da, originally from Giridih district, had been a persistent threat in the region for years. His elimination, along with fourteen other Maoists, represents a substantial setback for left-wing extremism in Jharkhand and brings security forces closer to their goal of establishing a completely Maoist-free state.
