Palamu- A late-night encounter between security forces and Maoists claimed the lives of two police personnel and left one seriously injured in Jharkhand’s Palamu district. The gunfight involved members of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC).
The skirmish took place between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday inside Kedal forest under the Manatu police station area, during a search operation.
Police said the operation was launched following intelligence reports that TSPC’s notorious commander Shashikant Ganjhu, wanted with a Rs 10 lakh bounty, might be visiting Kedal village during the Karma festival.
As forces approached, Ganjhu’s squad reportedly spotted them and fired indiscriminately. Police retaliated, and the ensuing gun battle left three personnel injured. Two of them — identified as Santan Kumar and Sunil Ram — succumbed to their injuries.
The injured were rushed to Medinirai Medical College in Daltonganj, where doctors declared two dead. The third remains in critical condition.
Police said one of the deceased was posted as the bodyguard of the Palamu Additional SP.
After the clash, security forces cordoned off the region and intensified search operations.
SP Reeshma Ramesan said, “The jawans’ sacrifice will always be remembered. We are determined to root out extremism from this region.”
With inputs from IANS