Ranchi: In a joint operation, Jharkhand police and the CRPF nabbed nine CPI (Maoists) members, including zonal, sub-zonal and area commanders during the ongoing “Operation Double Bull’, which is underway against the Maoist squad led by regional commander Ravindra Ganjhu, in Bulbul forest and its surrounding areas of Lohardaga since February 8.
During the operation, the longest in recent years, the police have exchanged fire with the Maoists on 10 occasions, busted their bunkers and also killed one extremist.
Among the arrested persons are zonal commander Balram Oraon, an accused in 82 cases, sub-zonal commander Dashrath Singh Kherwar, area commander Markush Nagesia and members Shaileshwar OraonMukesh Korba, Viren Korba, Shailendra Nagesia, Sanjay Nagesiaand Sheela Kherwar,
Kherwar and Nagesia are wanted in seven and 10 extremists related cases respectively, while others are accused persons in two cases each. Notably, one extremist has also been killed in the operation.
Police have recovered four weapons, including an American automatic rifle and a carbine, around 1,700 cartridges, 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), codex wire, wireless sets, safety fuse and several electronic items, Rs 3.27 lakh cash and daily use articles like dress and shoes.
Inspector general (operations) and Jharkhand police spokesperson Amol Homkar said, “Following a tip off that dreaded Maoist Ravindra Ganjhu who carries a reward of Rs 15 lakh and his squad members have gathered in Bulbul area, the security forces conducted the operation under challenging situations . Even though three personnel have been injured in IED blasts, the forces have kept on chasing the Maoists.”
The IG said under pressure, the extremists hid themselves in different villages in the area but nine of them were caught after getting inputs. He said the security forces have cornered the remaining members of the squad and are carrying out continuous operations and aerial surveys in the area. Various wings of police — district police, Jharkhand Jaguar, small action teams, bomb disposal squads and CRPF — are involved in the exercise.
Police said Ganjhu’s squad was planning to indulge in violence in Bauxite mine area and target the forces. It was earlier involved in killing 11 personnel, including CRPF jawans in series of IED blasts in Dhardharia in Lohardaga district, on March 5, 2011. The squad had also killed four personnel at Lukaiya More in Latehar district on November 11, 2019 and burnt 29 vehicles plying in a mine recently.
During the operation, the longest in recent years, the police have exchanged fire with the Maoists on 10 occasions, busted their bunkers and also killed one extremist.
Among the arrested persons are zonal commander Balram Oraon, an accused in 82 cases, sub-zonal commander Dashrath Singh Kherwar, area commander Markush Nagesia and members Shaileshwar OraonMukesh Korba, Viren Korba, Shailendra Nagesia, Sanjay Nagesiaand Sheela Kherwar,
Kherwar and Nagesia are wanted in seven and 10 extremists related cases respectively, while others are accused persons in two cases each. Notably, one extremist has also been killed in the operation.
Police have recovered four weapons, including an American automatic rifle and a carbine, around 1,700 cartridges, 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), codex wire, wireless sets, safety fuse and several electronic items, Rs 3.27 lakh cash and daily use articles like dress and shoes.
Inspector general (operations) and Jharkhand police spokesperson Amol Homkar said, “Following a tip off that dreaded Maoist Ravindra Ganjhu who carries a reward of Rs 15 lakh and his squad members have gathered in Bulbul area, the security forces conducted the operation under challenging situations . Even though three personnel have been injured in IED blasts, the forces have kept on chasing the Maoists.”
The IG said under pressure, the extremists hid themselves in different villages in the area but nine of them were caught after getting inputs. He said the security forces have cornered the remaining members of the squad and are carrying out continuous operations and aerial surveys in the area. Various wings of police — district police, Jharkhand Jaguar, small action teams, bomb disposal squads and CRPF — are involved in the exercise.
Police said Ganjhu’s squad was planning to indulge in violence in Bauxite mine area and target the forces. It was earlier involved in killing 11 personnel, including CRPF jawans in series of IED blasts in Dhardharia in Lohardaga district, on March 5, 2011. The squad had also killed four personnel at Lukaiya More in Latehar district on November 11, 2019 and burnt 29 vehicles plying in a mine recently.
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