Officials have reported that at least four Maoists were killed in a police encounter in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district. The incident occurred in the Tonto and Goilkera area.

Jharkhand Police spokesperson and IG (Operations), Amol V Homkar, confirmed that four Maoists were killed in the gunfight, and two others were arrested.

Ashutosh Shekhar, Superintendent of Police (SP) for West Singhbhum, informed HT that following the encounter, security forces successfully apprehended an area commander and a hardcore female Naxalite. He added that arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, and the search operation is ongoing.

This development comes just two days after an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district resulted in the deaths of eight Maoists and one Special Task Force (STF) jawan. According to police sources cited by the news agency PTI, six of the Maoists killed held senior-rank positions and carried a combined cash reward of ₹48 lakh. They belonged to the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) military company no. 1 of Naxalites and the Maad division supply team formations.

Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P, announced in a press conference on Sunday that the Narayanpur police had achieved their second major success within a week under the 'Maad Bachao Abhiyan' (anti-Maoist operation), marking the fourth significant achievement in the past 45 days.

He highlighted the longstanding impact of Naxal violence in Abhujmaad, Narayanpur district, spanning four decades. Sundarraj expressed optimism about the area's transformation, stating that locals, tribals, and villagers now envision a life free from violence, fear, and Naxalism. He attributed this positive change to successful anti-Naxal campaigns that have accelerated development in the region.

The police reported that they had killed eight Maoists during an encounter in the forests near Kutul-Farasbeda and Kodtameta villages in Narayanpur district. According to the IG, six of the deceased militants were identified as Sudru, Vargesh, Mamta, Samira, Kosi, and Moti. These individuals held various roles within the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) company no.1 of the Maoists and each carried a reward of ₹8 lakh on their heads.

Image source: Hindustan Times