In Jharkhand, four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Khapia forest area along the Hazaribagh-Chatra border today. One of the ultras killed has been identified as Sahdeo Mahto, who carried a bounty of 15 lakh rupees.

 

The other Maoists have been identified as Zonal Committee member Ranjit Ganjhu, who was carrying a reward of 10 lakh rupees, Sub-Zonal Committee member Natasha, and Area Commander Budhan Karmali. The joint operation by the CoBRA battalion and district police also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, one Colt AR-15 rifle and one INSAS rifle.

 

Police said the operation has effectively dismantled the Maoist network active in the Parasnath-Lugujhumra border area of Hazaribagh and Chatra districts. The Jharkhand Police has appealed to the remaining insurgents to surrender and avail the benefits under the state government’s rehabilitation policy.