Was the Maoist with a Rs 10 lakh bounty killed in Jharkhand's Chaibasa?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Maoist Amit Hasda was killed in an encounter.
- Security forces seized an SLR rifle and explosives.
- Ongoing operations aim to find more Maoist hideouts.
- This follows a recent gunfight that resulted in police casualties.
- Authorities are investigating further incidents.
Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Sep 7 (NationPress) In a significant operation, a Maoist, who had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was eliminated during a clash with security forces in Jharkhand's Chaibasa, officials reported on Sunday. The confrontation took place in the Saranda forest area, under the jurisdiction of the Goilkera police station in West Singhbhum district. Security forces successfully neutralized Amit Hasda, also known as Aaptan, as confirmed by Superintendent of Police Paras Rana.
Authorities recovered an SLR rifle, explosives, and various other weapons from the encounter site. Following the incident, security teams initiated a comprehensive search operation throughout the forest to locate additional Maoist hideouts.
Investigative efforts are ongoing, with further updates expected soon.
This incident follows a tragic event just days prior, where two police officers lost their lives and another sustained critical injuries during a fierce gunfight with Maoists from the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) in Palamu district, Jharkhand.
The violent exchange occurred in the dense Kedal forest under the Manatu police station between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. on September 3, while security personnel were conducting a search operation based on intelligence reports.
Officials indicated that the operation was initiated following intelligence suggesting that TSPC's notorious zonal commander Shashikant Ganjhu, who also has a Rs 10 lakh bounty, might return to his native village Kedal during the Karma festival.
As security forces advanced, Ganjhu and his armed group allegedly opened fire on the police, resulting in a heavy exchange of gunfire.
Three police officers were injured in the encounter, with two sadly declared deceased at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj.
The fallen officers were identified as Santan Kumar and Sunil Ram, with one serving as the bodyguard for the Palamu Additional Superintendent of Police.
Authorities stated that operations are ongoing to locate Ganjhu and his comrades.