Security forces achieved a historic breakthrough in Jharkhand’s Saranda jungle, gunning down 15 Naxalites in a fierce encounter, headlined by the elimination of Rs 1 crore rewardee Patiram Manjhi alias Unal Da. The Thursday clash in West Singhbhum’s Naxal heartland included three female cadres among the casualties.
The neutralized militants comprised high-profile figures like Anmol (BJSAC), Amit Munda (RCM), Pintu Lohra, Laljit (Lalu), Rajesh Munda, Bulbul Alda, Babita, Purnima, Surajmuni, and Jonga. Wanted across Jharkhand, Odisha, and by NIA, they were part of Unal Da’s Central Committee squad terrorizing Kolhan for years.
Unal Da faced 149 cases, with bounties of Rs 1 crore (Jharkhand), Rs 1.2 crore (Odisha), and Rs 15 lakh (NIA). A Giridih native, he masterminded jungle ambushes and explosions plaguing Chaibasa since 2022.
IG Saket Kumar Singh of CRPF revealed that ‘Operation Medha Buru’ began at dawn with Cobra commandos, Jaguars, CRPF, and district police sweeping Kiriburu forests. Naxals unleashed indiscriminate fire, met with precise counterstrikes leading to their decimation.
Troops seized arms stockpiles, explosives, and provisions. The strike promises to dismantle Naxal networks bordering Odisha, slashing Jharkhand’s insurgent count to under 60. Police appeal for surrenders amid ongoing combing operations and bolstered deployments.