A Naxalite died during a clash with security personnel in the forests of Manatu, Palamu district, Jharkhand, on Sunday morning, according to police. The man’s identity has not been formally confirmed yet, but officials believe he is likely Mukhdev Yadav, a commander of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), who had a bounty of ₹5 lakh on his head. An INSAS rifle was also found at the spot.
Heavy gunfight with combined forces
The shootout began around 7 am and involved more than 200 personnel from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Jharkhand Jaguar, and local police units in Palamu. Palamu Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan told The Indian Express that there was a gun battle between the joint security teams and the TSPC group led by Shashikant, who carries a ₹10 lakh reward. “One body and an INSAS rifle have been recovered. It is most probably that of Mukhdev Yadav, but confirmation will be done only after his family identifies the body,” she said.
Earlier attack on police in the same area
This encounter comes less than two weeks after two policemen were killed and another was seriously injured in the Kedal forest under Manatu police station during an anti-Maoist drive against the same TSPC group.
Security personnel had moved into the area after receiving information that militants were camping in Kedal and planning an attack. They came under heavy fire, leading to the deaths of Santan Kumar Mehta and Sunil Ram, both from Haidarnagar, while another jawan, Rohit Kumar, suffered serious bullet injuries and underwent surgery in Daltonganj.
Ongoing operations to neutralise the group
Since the previous attack, security forces have launched a stronger campaign in the border forests of Manatu, Tarhasi, and Chatra to eliminate the TSPC group.
