RANCHI: Days after the death of its two jawans in a Maoist attack, Jharkhand police have gunned down Mukhdeo Yadav, a member of banned Maoist organisation, Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), during an encounter early in the morning on Sunday. The fierce encounter, which took place between security forces and TSPC in the Manatu jungles of Palamu, lasted for several hours.
Palamu SP Rishma Rameshan confirmed the encounter and said that a Maoist, Mukhdev Yadav, carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head, was killed in the encounter. According to police sources, his dead body has been recovered along with an INSAS Rifle from the spot.
More than 200 soldiers, along with the contingents of Cobra Battalion, Palamu Police and Jharkhand Jaguar, were involved in this operation. Notably, there was an encounter between security forces and TSPC Maoists in the Kedal area of Manatu on September 3, during which, two jawans of Palamu Police were martyred. The police launched a massive operation against the Maoists following the incident and gunned down the wanted Maoist in the encounter on Sunday.
Police sources informed that the recent operation is being carried out to eliminate the same squad that had attacked the security forces on September 5. Mukhdev Yadav was also involved in that incident.
The police and paramilitary forces have surrounded the area from all sides and started a search operation, banning the entry of anyone into the forest. According to the information received from the local police, the security forces have launched a special operation to nab TSPC Chief Shashikant Ganjhu, who has a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
As soon as the jawans entered the dense forests of Manatu, the Maoists started firing on them, following which, the security forces also opened fire in retaliation killing Mukhdeo Yadav. The firing from both sides continued for several hours.
According to police, Shashikant Ganjhu has been under surveillance for a long time and it is difficult for him to get out of that area. Along with Shashikant Ganjhu, about 8 to 10 Maoists are said to be active in his region, including the wanted Maoist Nageena.
Security forces are considering this as the one of the biggest operations till date. The operation will continue until the entire squad is wiped out, they said. Meanwhile, continuous search operations are being carried out in the area and the police have also appealed to the villagers to remain alert.