Jamshedpur: A major operation against Maoists in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum district has resulted in the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, police confirmed on Saturday. The operation, conducted between Wednesday and Friday across the Rutugutu, Borai, and Tunbera stretches of the dense forest, also saw security forces neutralize a Maoist cadre during an exchange of fire on April 29.
Cadre Neutralized and Arms Recovered
The slain Maoist, identified as Israel Murmu alias Amrit (23), carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head. According to Amit Renu, Superintendent of Police of West Singhbhum, “Apart from neutralizing an active member of the Maoist squad, explosives and weapons have been recovered from the operation site.” The recovered items include a self-loading rifle (SLR) and carbine, an SLR magazine, 182 rounds of live cartridges, several empty cartridges, four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 50 kilograms of detonators, a codex wire, Maoist uniforms, and grocery supplies.
Role of the Slain Maoist
Amrit was a member of the Maoist central technical committee (CTC) and assisted top Maoist leader Misir Besra’s subordinate, Ajay Mahato, in assembling rockets and manufacturing IEDs. He also arranged food and clothing for his superiors, police sources revealed. Following the recovery of his body on April 30, a postmortem examination was conducted by a three-member medical team in the presence of a magistrate on Friday, adhering to standard protocols.
Ongoing Operations
The SP stated that the operation under Tonto police limits concluded on Saturday. However, intelligence-based combing operations are continuing at various locations within the hilly forest. Police sources indicated that combing is underway in six different areas under the Goilkera-Jarakela police station limits. A police officer commented, “Maoist strength has swiftly reduced in Saranda, and they are on the verge of collapse. Misir Besra and fellow squad members have to either surrender soon or face the bullet.”
