PATNA: A hardcore Maoist was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Bihar's Jamui district on Friday. An SLR rifle and four magazines were recovered from the slain rebel, whose identity is yet to be ascertained.
The encounter took place in the Tolapahar area under Chandramundi police station when a join team of CRPF's 207 Cobra commandos and the district police began a search operation of the area after getting tip-off about a dozen Maoists gathering there for a meeting.
"The rebels started firing at the security forces, forcing them to retaliate. One Maoist was found dead when the exchange ended after about two hours," said Jamui SP J Jalareddy. It is believed that some other Maoists were left badly injured in the exchange of fire.
The security forces embarked on an intensive combing operation and cordoned off the entire area soon after the encounter ended, added the SP. Police sources said it is possible the slain Maoist was an associate of hardcore Maoist Siddhu Koda, who has been eluding police for several years.
A dreaded Maoist, Sanjay Soren, was arrested at Garhi under Jamui's Maoist-affected Khaira police station area a day ago. Sources said Soren, a member of the outlawed CPI(Maoist), was arrested after his bike met with an accident in the area.
The Maoists had called for a two-day shutdown in Bihar and Jharkhand on July 17 and 18. The shutdown had affected normal life in several southern districts in Bihar as buses stayed off the roads and shops in small towns remained closed out of fear. The Maoists have influence in five southern districts of Bihar.