Major Blow to Naxalism: 15 Maoists Neutralized in Jharkhand Encounter
In a significant early morning operation on Thursday, security forces achieved a major breakthrough in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in Jharkhand. A joint team comprising the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jharkhand Police successfully neutralized 15 Naxalites, including a high-value target carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head.
High-Value Target Eliminated: Patiram Majhi alias Analda
The operation resulted in the elimination of 51-year-old Patiram Majhi, widely known by his alias Analda. He was identified as a central committee member (CCM) of the CPI (Maoist), which represents the highest decision-making body within the banned extremist organization. Analda had a staggering 149 criminal cases registered against him across various police stations in Jharkhand, underscoring his long-standing involvement in insurgent activities.
The security forces have described this operation as a landmark achievement in their ongoing campaign to establish a Maoist-free Jharkhand. The elimination of such a senior figure is expected to deal a severe blow to the organizational structure and operational capabilities of the Naxalite movement in the region.
Union Home Minister Hails Operation as Significant Success
Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media platform X to commend the security forces for their successful operation. He stated, "Today, in a joint operation by CRPF and Jharkhand Police in West Singhbhum, the ongoing campaign to eradicate Naxalism achieved a significant success with the neutralisation of notorious Maoist central committee member 'Anal alias Patiram Manjhi', who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and 15 other Naxalites."
Shah further emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating Naxalism, which he described as "synonymous with fear and terror for decades." He reiterated the target to end this menace before March 31, 2026, and appealed to remaining Naxalites to abandon violence and join the mainstream of development.
Operation Details and Fierce Exchange of Fire
The special operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs received by the security agencies. The encounter took place in the Kumbhdih village, located under the jurisdiction of the Chotanagara police station in West Singhbhum district. Reports indicate that there was a heavy exchange of fire from both sides during the operation, highlighting the intensity of the engagement.
Among the 15 Maoists neutralized, five were women, reflecting the diverse composition of the insurgent groups. Police authorities have confirmed that Thursday's operation marks the biggest success in terms of Naxal fatalities in recent times, setting a new benchmark in counter-insurgency efforts within the state.
Strategic Importance and Future Targets
Notably, the Saranda forest area in West Singhbhum is currently identified as the only remaining pocket in Jharkhand with a significant presence of LWE extremists. The successful operation in this region is therefore of strategic importance in the broader context of securing the state.
The Jharkhand Police have set an ambitious target to completely free the state from Left-Wing Extremist influence by March of this year. This operation represents a critical step towards achieving that goal, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence-based actions by central and state security forces.
Identification of Other Deceased Maoists
Besides Analda, the other Maoists eliminated in the operation have been identified. They include:
- Anmol alias Sushant - Member of the Bihar Jharkhand Special Area Committee
- 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
The neutralization of these mid-level and area-level leaders alongside the central committee member is expected to significantly disrupt Maoist operations across multiple layers of their organizational hierarchy in Jharkhand.
