Daijiworld Media Network - Bokaro

Bokaro, Jul 16: A fierce gun battle between Maoists and security forces erupted early Wednesday in the dense forests of Birhordera, under the Gomia police station limits in Bokaro district, resulting in the deaths of two Maoists and a CoBRA commando, officials confirmed.

The joint operation, spearheaded by the Central Reserve Police Force’s elite CoBRA-209 battalion and local police units, was launched based on intelligence inputs suggesting Maoist presence in the area. As the team advanced through the thick jungle around 6 a.m., they came under sudden heavy fire.

In the retaliatory exchange, two Maoists were neutralized—one in combat attire, the other in civilian clothes. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the scene. The identities of the deceased Maoists are yet to be established.

Tragically, one CoBRA jawan sustained severe injuries during the firefight. Despite immediate evacuation efforts, he succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital.

Search operations are continuing in the area to flush out any remaining insurgents suspected to be hiding in the forest.

This encounter marks a significant moment in Jharkhand’s ongoing crackdown on Maoist insurgency. The state police have intensified their anti-Naxal campaign, with an ambitious goal to completely dismantle Maoist influence by the end of 2025.

So far this year, 16 Maoists have been killed and 10 have surrendered. In comparison, 2024 saw 244 arrests, nine Maoists killed, and 24 surrendered—many of them high-ranking cadres, including zonal and area commanders.

The Union Home Ministry has echoed this momentum, with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting earlier that India will be free from Maoist extremism by March 2026.

The current operation in Bokaro reflects both the rising pressure on Maoist outfits and the ongoing risks faced by the security personnel engaged in this long-standing internal conflict.