Daijiworld Media Network – Ranchi

Ranchi, Mar 4: In a significant breakthrough for security forces in Jharkhand, police and paramilitary personnel in West Singhbhum successfully carried out an anti-Maoist operation, seizing a large cache of arms and ammunition from a Maoist hideout in the district’s dense forest areas. The operation also led to the destruction of a Maoist camp.

During the operation, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), each weighing 10 kg and intended to target security forces, were defused by the authorities.

Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar confirmed that the operation took place in the Husipi forest under the jurisdiction of the Tonto police station. The recovered weapons included a country-made pistol, two carbines, a rifle, a 10 kg IED, 58 detonators, and various other materials believed to be stockpiled by Maoists to carry out attacks on security forces.

The police also reported that top leaders of the CPI-Maoist, including Misir Besra, Anmol, Mochu, Anal, Asim Mandal, Ajay Mahto, Sagen Angaria, and Ashwin, are active in the Saranda and Kolhan regions, where they lead their cadres. Security forces have intensified their efforts against these Maoist elements, conducting ongoing operations in the area.

This operation is part of a series of successful counter-insurgency measures by Jharkhand's security forces. Earlier, on February 24, a Maoist camp in the Tonto police station area was demolished, yielding 10 weapons, including a US-made M-16 rifle and over 500 rounds of ammunition.

In another operation on March 1, police in Chatra district arrested Aakraman Ganjhu, also known by several aliases including Brahmadev, Awadh, and Ram Vinayak, the second-in-command of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC). Along with three associates, Ganjhu was found in possession of a range of firearms, including a US-made M-16 rifle, an SLR rifle, multiple pistols, and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has previously stated that anti-Maoist operations in India are entering their final stages and has expressed confidence that Maoism will be eradicated entirely by the end of March 2026.