Palamu— In a major success for security forces, top Maoist commander Tulsi Bhuiyan was killed in an encounter in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, officials said on Tuesday. This marks the second consecutive day of significant gains in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations in the state.
The intense gunbattle began late Monday night in the Hussainabad subdivision and continued into Tuesday morning. An SLR rifle was recovered from the site of the encounter. Initial reports indicate that several other Maoists may have been injured or killed during the clash.
Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation in the area to track down any remaining Maoists.
Senior officials, including Palamu Superintendent of Police Rishma Rameshan and senior CRPF officers, were present at the encounter site.
The operation was launched based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist commander Nitesh — who carries a reward of Rs 15 lakh — and his group in Sitachuan, a forested area on the border of Mohammadganj and Haidernagar police limits.
Another wanted Maoist, Sanjay Godram, with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, is also believed to be part of the group.
As the forces approached, the Maoists opened fire, leading to a fierce gunfight.
This encounter comes a day after a similar operation in the Netarhat police station area of neighbouring Latehar district, where Maoist commander Manish Yadav, who had a Rs 5 lakh reward, was killed. Another Maoist, Kundan Kharwar, carrying a Rs 10 lakh bounty, was arrested in the same operation.
On May 24, in an encounter in Ichwar forest of Latehar, Maoists Pappu Lohara (Rs 10 lakh reward) and Prabhat Lohara (Rs 5 lakh reward) were killed, while another injured Maoist was arrested.
Earlier, on April 21, eight Maoists including commander Prayag Manjhi — who had a Rs 1 crore reward — were killed in a major operation by security forces in Lugu Hill area of Lalpania in Bokaro district.
With inputs from IANS