A massive joint operation in Jharkhand’s Saranda jungle has yielded the biggest anti-Naxal success in recent years, with 16 insurgents gunned down, including high-value target Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da. Union Home Minister Amit Shah celebrated the feat on X, declaring it a ‘big success’ toward making India Naxal-free before 2026.
The Thursday clash involved elite CRPF units and state police, neutralizing Central Committee member Manjhi—carrying a Rs 1 crore reward—and associates like Bulbul Alda, Babita, and others with multi-state bounties. Three female Naxals were among the slain, disrupting a key squad operating in West Singhbhum’s Kolhan division.
Shah’s post emphasized the end of Naxal terror synonymous with fear for decades. He urged survivors: ‘Leave the path of violence, terror, and arms. Join the mainstream of development and trust.’ This comes amid accelerated counter-insurgency drives that have halved Naxal violence incidents nationwide.
CRPF IG Saket Kumar Singh detailed the recovery of weapons, highlighting the group’s involvement in numerous attacks across Jharkhand, Odisha, and beyond. Manjhi’s elimination severs a critical link in Maoist command structure, long evading capture in rugged terrains.
The operation underscores evolving tactics: real-time intel, drone surveillance, and inter-agency coordination. Parallelly, welfare schemes like tribal hostels and mobile health units are bridging gaps exploited by extremists. As surrenders rise, this encounter reinforces momentum, promising a secure tomorrow for Jharkhand’s forests and villages.