Chaibasa (Jharkhand).
A major success for the security forces was reported on Sunday in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. In a fierce gun battle inside the Saranda forest, a dreaded Maoist carrying a bounty of ₹10 lakh was gunned down. Officials have identified the slain Maoist as Amit Hasda alias Aptan, who was wanted in several cases of violence and Maoist activities in the region.
Superintendent of Police Paras Ranna confirmed the encounter. Acting on specific intelligence inputs about Maoist movement in the dense forest, a joint team of district police and paramilitary forces launched a search operation in the Goilkera police station limits. During the operation, the Maoists opened fire on the security forces, which was retaliated with equal force. In the ensuing encounter, top cadre Amit Hasda was killed.
Weapons and Explosives Recovered
After the encounter, a thorough search of the area led to the recovery of an SLR rifle, explosives, and other arms from the site. According to police sources, the recovery suggests that the Maoists were planning a major offensive in the region. The timely action of the security forces foiled these plans.
Search Operation Intensified
Following the gunfight, the security forces have launched a massive combing operation across the Saranda forest to flush out other Maoist operatives who may still be hiding in the area. Officials stated that the operation will continue until the region is fully secured and any remaining Maoist strongholds are neutralized.
Profile of the Slain Maoist
Police revealed that Amit Hasda alias Aptan was a notorious Maoist linked to several violent incidents in Jharkhand. His activities included planning attacks on security forces and extorting money from local contractors and villagers. His elimination is considered a major breakthrough for law enforcement agencies.
Strong Message from Police
Superintendent of Police Paras Ranna emphasized that Jharkhand Police, in coordination with central paramilitary forces, will continue their strict campaign against Maoists. He said, “This encounter demonstrates that the police will not spare those who try to disrupt peace in the state. Our operations will continue until Jharkhand is free from the Maoist menace.”
The successful encounter has boosted the morale of the security forces. Locals in the region have also expressed relief, hoping that the continued crackdown will bring peace and development to the Maoist-affected areas.