Maoist with Rs 5 Lakh Bounty Killed in Jharkhand Encounter
In a major breakthrough against Maoist activities in Jharkhand, security forces gunned down a key Maoist leader in Palamu district on Sunday morning. The encounter took place around 7 a.m. near the border of Tarhasi and Manatu police stations, where the Maoist, identified as Mukhdev alias Mukesh Yadav, lost his life.
Mukhdev carried a Rs 5 lakh reward on his head and belonged to the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), a splinter group of the CPI (Maoist). He was a member of the notorious Shashikant Gang and stayed active in Palamu and nearby districts for years. Police say he played a big role in several Maoist attacks and criminal cases, making him a top target.
During the fierce gunfight, forces recovered an INSAS rifle and other items from the spot. Right now, search operations continue in the area to hunt down other TSPC members who might be hiding nearby.
This clash comes just days after a deadly encounter on September 4 in Palamu. Back then, two security personnel—constables Santan Mehta and Sunil Ram—died, and another got injured while fighting TSPC cadres. That operation kicked off based on tips about TSPC commander Shashikant Ganjhu and his team in Kedal village. Officials confirm Mukhdev was part of the same squad.
The Kedal-Manatu region remains a stronghold for TSPC, with Shashikant Ganjhu leading extortion rackets and violent strikes across Palamu and Chatra districts. Security teams see him as the main force behind ongoing Maoist threats in the area.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand saw another big win against Maoists on September 7 in Chaibasa. Forces killed Amit Hasda alias Aaptan, who had a Rs 10 lakh bounty, in the Saranda forest under Goilkera police station in West Singhbhum district. They seized an SLR rifle, explosives, and more weapons from the site. After that, teams launched wide searches through the forests to flush out other hideouts.
These back-to-back encounters show security forces ramping up efforts to crush Maoist groups like TSPC in Jharkhand’s tough terrains. Stay tuned for updates as operations continue.
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