Daijiworld Media Network – Varanasi

Varanasi, Sep 20: Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh, a wanted commander of the banned Jharkhand-based Naxal outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Varanasi on Saturday, officials said.

Ganjhu was carrying a total reward of Rs 30 lakh. The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced an additional reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his capture.

According to Jharkhand Police, Ganjhu was killed during a security operation in Varanasi after security personnel received information about his presence in the area. Further details regarding the encounter and any recoveries from the spot are awaited.

Ganjhu had been wanted by security agencies for several years and was also declared wanted by the NIA in connection with the Tandwa terror funding case. He was allegedly linked to levy collection and terror funding activities associated with the TPC.

Jharkhand Police spokesperson and IG Operations Narendra Singh confirmed the development, saying information had been received from the IG of the Special Task Force that Ganjhu was killed in an encounter in Varanasi.

Singh said Ganjhu was the chief of the banned TPC in Jharkhand and that the NIA had declared him wanted in several cases.