Jharkhand: Constable, Maoist killed in jungle battle, SSP injured

Ranchi senior superintendent of police (SP) Prabhat Kumar, additional SP Harshpal and one of his body guards have been injured in the Maranghata jungle encounter near Khunti, 50 km south of Ranchi.

In a firefight between the police and Maoists in the Maranghata jungle of Khunti on Tuesday, a constable and an extremist leader were killed.

HT Image

Ranchi senior superintendent of police (SP) Prabhat Kumar, additional SP Harshpal and one of his body guards have been injured in the jungle encounter, 50 km south of Ranchi.

The senior superintendent of police was hit by a bullet on the right of his chest. "He is out of danger," said Khunti Superintrendent of Police Anish Gupta.

The 15-member strong extremists with which the police fought belonged to dreaded Maoist leader Kundan Pahan group, and the militant leader killed has been identified as area commander Chandan.

The state has around 17 Maoist splinter groups spreading terror in the districts, and many of the groups are no more than hired guns and thugs. Khunti is one of the 21 districts where extremists have their dens.

After the encounter, alert has been issued in the 10-km radius of the Maranghata area and the entire extremist hotbed in Khunti has been sealed, said Gupta.

Das visited Kumar at Medica Hospital in Ranchi and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical facilities for him as well as other injured policemen.