Chaibasa (Jharkhand), April 15 (IANS) A fierce encounter took place on Wednesday between security forces and a banned Naxalite (Maoist) outfit in the Saranda forest region of Jharkhand’s Chaibasa district, officials said.

The forces reportedly came face-to-face with the squad of wanted Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore. According to preliminary information, several Maoists were believed to have been killed in the exchange of fire. Meanwhile, a jawan of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was injured during the encounter and is being airlifted to Ranchi for treatment.

According to reports, the gunfight erupted around 10 a.m. in the dense forests located between Marang Ponga and Baliba villages under the Chhota Nagra police station area in West Singhbhum district.

Police had received intelligence inputs that notorious Maoist leader Besra was planning to shift his camp along with his squad. Acting on this information, a joint team of the CoBRA battalion, Jharkhand Jaguar, and district police launched an intensive search operation in the area. As the security personnel began cordoning off the Maoists in the interior forest region, the insurgents opened indiscriminate fire on them. The security forces retaliated strongly and reportedly gained the upper hand.

Sources indicate that four Maoists were neutralised in the precise firing by the forces, while several others are suspected to have been injured. However, due to the dense forest and difficult terrain, the police have not yet recovered the bodies or made an official confirmation.

It is also reported that apart from Misir Besra, dreaded Maoists such as Mochu, Sagen Angaria, and Ashwin were present in the squad.

Following the encounter, security forces have intensified the search operation and cordoned off the entire area. Considering the condition of the injured CoBRA jawan, arrangements are underway to shift him from Chaibasa to Ranchi for better medical treatment.

–IANS

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