Naxal with Rs 1 cr reward among eight killed in Jharkhand

New Delhi: In a major blow to the banned CPI (Maoist), security forces gunned down eight Naxals-including three high-profile leaders-in a fierce encounter in Jharkhand's Bokaro district on Monday.

Among those killed was Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, a Central Committee Member of the Maoists' Eastern Regional Bureau and a key strategist, who carried a reward of ₹1 crore. Two other senior operatives-Arvind Yadav (₹25 lakh bounty) and Sahebram Manjhi alias Rahul Manjhi (₹10 lakh)-were also neutralized.

The encounter began around 5:30 am in the Lugu Hills under the Lalpania area during a joint operation by the CRPF's elite CoBRA unit and Jharkhand Police. According to officials, the operation led to the recovery of a significant weapons cache, including an AK-series rifle, an SLR, three INSAS rifles, a pistol, and eight country-made Bharmar rifles.

"No injuries or casualties were reported among the security personnel," the CRPF said. A search operation is still underway to ensure the area is fully cleared of any remaining insurgents or hidden arms.

Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta confirmed the identities of the deceased, which also include Mahesh Manjhi alias Mota, Talu, Raju Manjhi, and Gangaram.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the forces on social media platform X, stating, "Our march to eliminate Naxalism continues unabated. In an encounter at Lugu Hills, 8 Maoists were neutralised, including a top-level leader, Vivek... Applaud our security forces."

So far in 2025, 93 Naxals have been neutralized in joint operations involving the CRPF. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 178 Naxals were killed in similar operations, with a record 104 killed in 2024-most of them in Chhattisgarh.

(With agency inputs)



( Originally published on Apr 21, 2025 )