A high-stakes showdown unfolded in the Saranda forests of West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, where security forces clashed with Naxals Thursday morning, reportedly eliminating several including a top bounty fugitive. Intermittent gunfire echoes as combing operations press on in the strategic jungle belt.
The action stemmed from actionable intel on Naxal hideouts near Kumbhidih, prompting a multi-agency sweep. Naxals initiated the assault from concealed positions, met with fierce counterfire that lasted hours, securing dominance for the law enforcers.
With the zone under tight siege and extra troops rushed in, top brass monitors from the frontline. Kolhan DIG Anuranjan Kispotta verified the exchange, promising details later. Police IG Michael Raj noted sustained Maoist casualties amid ongoing skirmishes.
Field recoveries boast Naxal bodies, weaponry, munitions, and essentials, allegedly featuring a Rs 50 lakh prized leader and active operatives. Official tallies pending, but the haul signals a major disruption.
This early-2026 incident builds on 2025’s aggressive campaigns, which neutralized over 25 rebels including seniors in Chaibasa zones like Tonto and Goilkera last June. Jharkhand’s war on Naxalism shows no signs of abating.