A joint police operation in Bihar's Begusarai district resulted in the death of a wanted Maoist commander on Wednesday. The encounter, which involved over 20 rounds of firing, took place on the outskirts of Nonpur village.
Encounter Details and Police Operation
The operation was carried out by a combined team of the Special Task Force (STF) and the local police under the Teghra police station area. Acting on a specific tip-off about the presence and plans of the Maoist functionary, the security forces surrounded him near Nonpur village.
Begusarai SP Manish stated that upon seeing the police team, the individual opened fire. The police team was forced to retaliate in self-defence, which led to his death during the exchange of fire.
Profile of the Deceased Maoist Commander
The killed Maoist was identified as Dayanand Malakar (45), a self-styled area commander of the CPI(Maoist). He was a resident of the very same Nonpur village where the encounter occurred. Malakar was a seasoned operative who used multiple aliases, including Daman, Kulveer, and Aakash, to evade capture.
His criminal record was extensive. Police sources confirmed he was an accused in over one dozen criminal cases across Begusarai, Khagaria, and Muzaffarpur districts. The charges against him were serious, encompassing murder, violations of the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Explosives Act.
History of Arrest and Return to Activity
Malakar's journey highlights a cycle of arrest and return to insurgency. He was arrested in 2020 and spent time in jail before managing to secure bail. However, after his release, he reportedly became proactive in Maoist activities once again.
This return to unlawful actions prompted the police to announce a bounty of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his capture. The successful operation on Wednesday has neutralised what police described as a key functionary within the Maoist network in the region.
The encounter marks a significant success for the security forces in their ongoing efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the area. It removes a seasoned operative with a violent history from the field, potentially disrupting local Maoist plans and operations.
