Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Jan 22: In a major success for security forces, at least 15 Maoists, including senior leader Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da, carrying a bounty of ₹1 crore, were killed in a fierce encounter in the Saranda forest area of West Singhbhum district on Thursday, officials said.
Confirming the development, Jharkhand Police IG (Operations) Michaelraj S. stated that Anal Da, a key Maoist strategist, was among those neutralised. He added that a large-scale search operation is still underway in the dense forest region to eliminate any remaining insurgents.
A native of Giridih district, Anal Da had been active in the Maoist movement for over two decades and was considered one of its most influential leaders. His operational influence extended across Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum districts. He played a pivotal role in consolidating Maoist networks in the Saranda and Kolhan regions. Several serious criminal cases, including attacks on security forces, IED blasts, extortion and threats to contractors, were registered against him.
According to police sources, the encounter began early Thursday morning near Kumbhdih village under Chotanagra police station limits. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, joint security forces launched an operation in the area. The Maoists, who were hiding in ambush positions, opened indiscriminate fire, prompting a strong retaliation.
After several hours of intense exchange, the forces successfully surrounded the Maoists and gained the upper hand. Kolhan DIG Anuranjan Kispotta said the operation is ongoing and further details will be shared once it concludes.
Security forces recovered multiple bodies, sophisticated weapons, ammunition and daily-use items from the site. The area has been fully cordoned off, with additional forces deployed and senior officials monitoring the situation on the ground.
The operation follows a recent high-level review meeting chaired by CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh in Chaibasa. This encounter is being seen as the first major anti-Maoist operation of 2026 and a significant blow to left-wing extremism in the region.
