Two cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) were killed in an encounter during a joint operation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)'s Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Jharkhand Jaguar and the State Police, in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand on September 2 morning, reports India Today. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Kolhan division, Ajay Linda said, "Two CPI(Maoist) members were gunned down in an operation at Baruda forest in Kuchai police station area," adding, that the bodies were recovered by the forces along with arms and ammunition including an SLR [Self Loading Rifle], over 100 live cartridges, magazines, detonators and wireless sets. The slain Maoists were identified as 32-year-old Kali Munad and Reela Mala Manjhi (22), both were ‘section commanders’ of squad of CPI-Maoists’ ‘Central Committee (CC)’ member Anal da alias Toofan alias Patiram Manjhi alias Patiram Marandi alias Ramesh, who carries a cash reward of INR 10 million on his head. During the operation, one Maoist camp was also destroyed by the forces.
Meanwhile, a cadre of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Bhairabh Gonjhu was arrested by the Chatra Police along with an American rifle and INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle besides 700 bullets and others on August 31, reports lagatar24.com. Police said that the seized American rifle is the property of the US Government and the arrested rebel will be taken on Police remand to ascertain the source of the supply of this American weapon. The arrested rebel is the ‘regional commander’ rank rebel who was wanted in over 16 cases of Naxal [Left Wing extremism, LWE] violence. Gonjhu was involved in an encounter with the Jharkhand Police at Nagad in Palamu District last year, and is among the main accused of the murder case of Zilla Parishad (District Council) candidate Vikram Rajak at Lawalong in Latehar District. In 2017, he had also murdered the wife and daughter of one Abhimanyu Singh at Balumath in Latehar.