Jharkhand: Maoists kill assistant commandant of CRPF

A CRPF assistant commandant, Hira Kumar Jha, was killed and two other security personnel injured in an encounter between joint forces and Maoist rebels in Jharkhand’s Giridih district which borders Bihar’s Jamui district.

A CRPF assistant commandant, Hira Kumar Jha, was killed and two other security personnel injured in an encounter between joint forces and Maoist rebels in Jharkhand’s Giridih district which borders Bihar’s Jamui district.

HT Image

CRPF joint forces and state police arrested arrest three Maoists — including a woman identified as Sabita. Police said the rebels were caught while trying to escape the Kauwakol- Khaira forest on the Bihar-Jharkhand border.

According to information from police headquarters, a fierce encounter took place between the security forces and the rebels at Tisri around 80km from Giridih district headquarters.

“Three rebels have been arrested. We have also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunitions, including a sniper rifle and live cartridges from their possession”, said Giridih Superintendent of Police, Kranti Kumar Gadidesi.

“Security forces were faced with intermittent firing from thick foliages and hills by rebels,” said the SP.

The DGP office said that reinforcements have been rushed to the spot. “A manhunt has been launched with the help of reinforcement in the area,” said Inspector General of police Bokaro, Laxman Prasad.

Following a directive from the Centre, Jharkhand police along with the CRPF have launched massive operations against the left wing extremist in the last three days.

This is the first time that forces are foraying into the jungles even during the difficult monsoon months.

Police said that the slain assistant commandant’s body has been recovered and is likely to be brought to Dhanbad by late evening. His family — comprising his wife and two minor children — were flown in to Ranchi from New Delhi.