Chaibasa (Jharkhand) | Sep 07, 2025 : A top Maoist leader carrying a reward of ₹10 lakh was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The exchange of fire broke out late Saturday night in the Saranda forest under the Goilkera police station, long considered a Maoist stronghold. Security forces engaged in a fierce gun battle with armed rebels before neutralising Amit Hasda alias Aaptan, a notorious Maoist operative.

According to Superintendent of Police Paras Rana, forces recovered a self-loading rifle (SLR), explosives, and other weapons from the site. Following the encounter, extensive search operations were launched across the forest to locate possible hideouts and trace other members of the group.

Authorities have described the operation as a significant blow to Maoist activity in the Saranda region, which has historically witnessed repeated ambushes and attacks on police and paramilitary forces. Investigations are underway to confirm whether Hasda was plotting fresh attacks in the district.

Links to Recent Violence

The encounter comes just days after Maoists struck in Palamu district, killing two policemen and critically injuring another in a late-night firefight on September 3. The gun battle erupted between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. in the dense Kedal forest under the Manatu police station, when security personnel moved in on intelligence inputs.

According to officials, the September 3 operation was launched after reports suggested that Shashikant Ganjhu, the dreaded zonal commander of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), might visit his native village Kedal during the Karma festival. Ganjhu, like Hasda, carries a reward of ₹10 lakh on his head.

As security forces advanced into the area, Ganjhu’s armed cadre reportedly opened indiscriminate fire, triggering a heavy exchange. Three police personnel were injured in the encounter and rushed to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj. Doctors declared two of them—Santan Kumar and Sunil Ram—dead on arrival. One of the slain policemen was serving as the bodyguard of Palamu Additional Superintendent of Police.

Intensified Anti-Maoist Operations

Police said combing operations continue across West Singhbhum and Palamu to track down Ganjhu and his associates, who remain active despite repeated crackdowns. The seizure of arms in Saranda highlights the rebels’ continued access to sophisticated weapons and explosives.

Officials said the neutralisation of Amit Hasda, combined with the intensified pursuit of TSPC’s leadership, is part of a broader security push to dismantle Maoist strongholds in Jharkhand.

For decades, Saranda’s thick forests have provided cover for Maoist insurgents, making it one of the toughest terrains for counter-insurgency operations. However, in recent years, increased deployment of paramilitary forces and sustained intelligence-led operations have weakened their presence.

The Road Ahead

Security experts believe Hasda’s killing could reduce Maoist influence in West Singhbhum, but warn that retaliatory attacks remain a risk. Authorities have urged villagers in Maoist-affected areas to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces.

With two deadly encounters in less than a week, Jharkhand’s fight against insurgency underscores the fragile balance between security operations and the persistence of armed cadres determined to resist.