Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 5: In a major operation against left-wing extremism, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has apprehended Prashant Jalindar Kamble—better known by his alias “Laptop”—a long-absconding Naxalite operative who had evaded capture for 15 years.

Kamble, 44, was arrested in Pune on May 3 and had been wanted since 2011 in a case involving grave charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He had been declared absconding by the court, with both a non-bailable warrant and a proclamation issued for his arrest.

According to the official press release from the Pune unit of the ATS, Kamble was located in Khopoli, where he had been living under a false identity. Following his arrest, he was transferred to the ATS unit in Thane, which had been actively pursuing the 2011 case registered under UNIT CR NO 19/2011. He has since been produced before the Mumbai Sessions Court and remanded to police custody until May 13.

Originally from the Tadiwala Road area of Pune, Kamble was once a bright college graduate and skilled computer technician—a talent that earned him the moniker “Laptop” within the Naxal movement. In 2010, he left home under the pretext of taking a job in Mumbai but later informed his family that he had joined the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

“I have joined the Naxals, I am working with them in the jungles… have taken weapons training and am using my computer skills for their work. There’s no turning back now,” Kamble had reportedly told his family in a chilling call.

Investigations reveal that Kamble was a close aide of the late Milind Teltumbde, a top CPI (Maoist) leader who was killed in a 2021 encounter in Gadchiroli. Kamble was allegedly radicalised by Teltumbde and his wife Angela Sontakke. Another associate, Santosh Vasant Shelar alias Vishwa, linked with the radical cultural group Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), was also reportedly influenced by the same ideological mentors.

The ATS has described Kamble as a "high-value target" within the sphere of urban Naxalism, citing his technical expertise and ideological commitment as key assets to the Maoist insurgency.

Authorities believe his capture marks a significant achievement in disrupting the urban support networks of the Naxal movement. Further inquiries into his activities, contacts, and underground operations are ongoing.