A recent encounter in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district turned deadly, resulting in the deaths of two Maoist insurgents. The clash occurred between security forces and members of the CPI (Maoists). Following the confrontation, authorities recovered two INSAS rifles from the scene.

“A joint team of Jharkhand Police and 209 Cobra Battalion had an encounter with Maoists during which two, including one woman, were killed. A security personnel sustained a minor injury in his hand,” Ashutosh Shekhar, Chaibasa SP, informed.

"Bodies of the two rebels killed in the gun battle have been recovered from the spot," he further said.

One of the Maoists killed in the encounter has been identified alias Sanjay Ganjhu, a zonal commander. The second slain rebel is believed to be a female associate of the notorious Maoist leader Anal Da, who has a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head.

Security forces are continuing their search operation in the area to ensure no remaining insurgents are hiding in the dense forests.

According to the Superintendent of Police (SP), a joint team comprising Jharkhand Police and the 209 Cobra Battalion was conducting a search operation in the Maoist-affected Sonuwa region.

At around 7:00 AM, as the security personnel advanced into the forest, they were ambushed by the Maoists, who opened fire. In response, the security forces retaliated, killing one rebel on the spot. During the exchange of gunfire, two security personnel sustained injuries, one of whom was a soldier.

Jharkhand Police is making all possible efforts to meet the deadline set for eliminating Maoist insurgency from the state. So far, four Maoists have been neutralised in police encounters this month alone.