A Naxalite leader carrying a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh was killed during a clash with security forces in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district on Sunday, police said. The dead Maoist was identified as Amit Hansda, also known as Aptan, a zonal commander with a Rs 10 lakh bounty.
The exchange of fire took place in the Railapara forest close to Burjuwa hill within the Goilkera police station limits. A joint effort by the district police and the COBRA unit resulted in the seizure of weapons, including an SLR rifle.
Officials said that Chaibasa police received information about Naxalites being present in the Relaparal area under Goilkera police station. Acting on this alert, a combined team of police and CRPF launched a search operation early in the morning. As the forces arrived at the spot around 6:30 am, the Naxals started firing, sparking an intense gunfight.
Officers said several Maoists ran into the thick forest as the security personnel advanced. Later, during a search of the area, Hansda’s body was discovered.
The search is still underway, and security forces have surrounded nearby areas to stop any escape attempts by the rebels. Authorities reported that the operation was intensified after getting inputs about the Maoists’ activities. They also noted that this move could weaken the group’s morale. Kolhan Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Anuranjan Kispotta said, “A clash between Maoists and security personnel occurred in the morning. A body was recovered during a follow-up search.
Inspector General of Police (Operations) and Jharkhand Police spokesperson Michael Raj S stated, “The deceased has been confirmed as Amit Hansda, also known as Aptan, a self-styled zonal commander of CPI (Maoist) who had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.” He further mentioned that the search operation in the region is still underway.
