Armed Conflict Leaves Two Dead, One Wounded in Jharkhand Clash with Maoist Rebels

In a tragic turn of events, an encounter between security forces and members of the Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) in Kedal village, under the Manatu police station area, Palamu district, Jharkhand, has resulted in the deaths of two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) CoBRA jawans, two policemen, and the injury of another officer.

The incident, which occurred in Bokaro Forest around 12.30 am on Thursday, was part of a special operation launched based on information about the presence of TSPC commander Shashikant Ganjhu and his squad in the village. The operation, however, did not result in the capture of Ganjhu, who is the chief commander of the TSPC and has a bounty of 1,000,000 on his head.

The fallen policemen have been identified as Santan Mehta and Sunil Ram. One policeman was injured in the encounter and admitted to Medinirirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj for treatment. The injured officer is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

The exact casualties among the TSPC and the Maoists are yet to be verified. Reports suggest that the Naxals managed to escape after the exchange, and a search operation has been launched in the area.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed his grief over the deaths of Santan Mehta and Sunil Ram. The incident did not involve the TSPC, contrary to earlier reports.

This encounter follows another gunfight in the same forest, the details of which are still unclear. The injured officer from the previous encounter is currently undergoing treatment at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital.

The TSPC, known for their involvement in several shooting incidents in the region, has been a thorn in the side of the security forces for years. The group has been accused of numerous acts of violence and terror, making them a high-priority target for the authorities.

This latest incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing struggle against extremism in the region. The authorities remain committed to maintaining peace and security for the citizens of Jharkhand.

Armed Conflict Leaves Two Dead, One Wounded in Jharkhand Clash with Maoist Rebels