Major Security Operation: Three Naxals Killed in Jharkhand Encounter, Two Had Rs 5 Lakh Bounties

Ranchi (Uttam Hindu News): In a decisive operation in Gumla district, Jharkhand police and security forces killed three Naxals in an early morning encounter in the Kechki forest area of Bishunpur, officials confirmed. Among the slain were Lalu Lohra and Chotu Oraon, both with bounties of Rs 5 lakh, and Sujit Oraon. All were associated with the banned Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP).

Gumla police confirmed the deaths. Lalu Lohra, a resident of Lohardaga, was the sub-zonal commander of JJMP and was found with an AK-47 rifle. Chotu Oraon, from Latehar, was also a sub-zonal commander. Sujit Oraon, from Lohardaga, was active as a cadre in the organization. Multiple weapons, including AK-47s, were recovered from the Naxals.

Following the encounter, search operations continue in the area. This is the fourth encounter in September between Naxals and security forces in Jharkhand, resulting in eight Naxals killed.

Earlier incidents include:

On 15 September in Gorhar, Hazaribagh district, Naxals Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh (Rs 1 crore bounty), Raghunath Hembram (Rs 25 lakh bounty), and Veer Sen Ganjhu (Rs 10 lakh bounty) were killed.

On 14 September, Mukdev Yadav (Rs 5 lakh bounty) was killed in an encounter in Manatu forests, Palamu district.

On 7 September, Amit Hansda alias Upton (Rs 10 lakh bounty) was killed in Goilkera, West Singhbhum.

This year, a total of 32 Naxals have been killed. Jharkhand police report that on average three Naxals are killed in encounters every month. Currently, around 100–150 Maoists remain active in the state. The police “Most Wanted” list includes 13 high-profile Maoalsits from CPI-Maoist with bounties of up to Rs 1 crore, including Misir Besra, Patiram Manjhi, and Aseem Mandal. Others include Anmol, Mochu, Ajay Mahto, Agen Angaria, Ashwin, Pintu Lohra, Chandan Lohra, Jaykant, and Rapa Munda.

The largest encounter this year was on 21 April at Lugu Hills, Bokaro district, where eight Maoists, including Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek (Rs 1 crore bounty), were killed. Jharkhand police and central forces are conducting operations to make the state “Naxal-free by March 2026.”

This operation highlights Jharkhand’s ongoing anti-Maoist efforts, focusing on neutralizing high-profile militants and reducing insurgency in the region.