A major operation in Jharkhand resulted in a violent clash between security forces and Naxalites, leading to the death of Kunwar Manjhi, a top Naxal leader with a ₹25 lakh bounty, and a Cobra 209 battalion jawan. The encounter occurred in the Lugu Pahar and Birhordera areas of Bokaro district’s Gomia police station.
As part of an ongoing effort to rid Jharkhand of Naxal influence, security forces have been conducting extensive search and combat operations. The confrontation began when a security patrol came under fire in the Lugu Pahar forests. The security forces retaliated, resulting in the death of two Naxals.
Kunwar Manjhi, who carried a ₹5 lakh bounty, was a key figure in the Naxal operations in the region. A Cobra battalion jawan was seriously injured in the firefight and later died from his wounds.
Following the encounter, a thorough search operation was carried out, and the security forces recovered sophisticated weapons and ammunition from the Naxals.
This is not the first such encounter in the area. On April 21, 2025, eight Naxals, including Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, who had a reward of ₹1 crore, were killed in a similar operation. A large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized then.
The ongoing operations demonstrate that the security forces are resolute in their commitment to eliminate Naxalism in Jharkhand, and further actions against the Naxals are expected.