Maoist plot foiled in Jharkhand's Dalma: 3 arrested, arms cache seized
Synopsis
A joint security operation in Jharkhand's Dalma forest has dismantled a reported CPI-Maoist bid to revive its network after being squeezed out of Saranda. Three wanted cadres — including a ₹15 lakh bounty carrier — were arrested, and a police-issue INSAS rifle looted in a past attack was among the weapons recovered. The Dalma hills, once quieter, are back on the security radar.
Key Takeaways
Security forces foiled a CPI-Maoist conspiracy in Dalma forest , Seraikela-Kharsawan district , Jharkhand, on 6 August .
Three wanted Maoists arrested: sub-zonal committee member Ravi Singh Sardar , regional committee member Madan Mahato (reward: ₹15 lakh ), and sub-zonal commander Meena Paharia (reward: ₹2 lakh ).
Arms recovered include an INSAS rifle allegedly looted from police, AKM-47 ammunition , a 9 mm pistol , walkie-talkies, and a motorcycle.
The outfit was allegedly planning to rebuild its network in Dalma after sustained pressure in the Saranda forest region.
Cases registered under UAPA , BNS , Arms Act , CLA Act , and Explosive Substances Act ; investigation ongoing.
Security forces have foiled a major Maoist conspiracy in the Dalma forest region of Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district, arresting three wanted ultras and recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition, police said on Thursday, 6 August. The operation dealt a blow to the CPI-Maoist outfit's reported bid to re-establish its network in the area after facing sustained pressure in the nearby Saranda forest.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to police, intelligence was received on 4 August that active CPI-Maoist cadres were sheltering in Udaipur village under Kandra police station limits. A joint team comprising district police personnel, the 203 CoBRA battalion, the 134th battalion of the CRPF, and the 26th battalion of the SSB was swiftly mobilised to raid the location.
The operation led to the arrest of sub-zonal committee member Ravi Singh Sardar, alias Sagar Singh, who was allegedly found in possession of a loaded AKM-47 rifle, ammunition, and a walkie-talkie. Acting on disclosures made by him, forces subsequently apprehended two more wanted cadres.
Key Arrests and Rewards
Regional committee member Madan Mahato, who carried a reward of ₹15 lakh, and sub-zonal commander Meena Paharia, alias Nepu Paharia, who had a ₹2 lakh bounty on her head, were arrested in follow-up action. Police confirmed that Meena Paharia is the wife of Ravi Singh Sardar.
Arms and Ammunition Recovered
The haul seized during the operation included an INSAS rifle reportedly looted from the police, a large quantity of live AKM-47 ammunition, a 9 mm pistol, magazines, walkie-talkies, codex wire, a motorcycle, and other materials. The recovery of a police-issue weapon underscored the outfit's history of targeting security personnel in the region.
What the Maoists Were Planning
Addressing a press conference, Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiyari of Seraikela-Kharsawan said the arrested cadres disclosed during interrogation that, following intensified security operations in Saranda, the organisation had decided to revive its activities in Dalma and rebuild its operational network there. Police also claimed the three accused admitted involvement in several Maoist incidents in the Dalma region, including the killing of policemen in Kukru and the looting of weapons — though these claims have not been independently verified.
Notably, this operation comes amid a broader security push across Jharkhand's forested belts, where left-wing extremism has historically fluctuated between suppression and resurgence. The Dalma hills had seen reduced Maoist activity in recent years, making the outfit's reported attempt to re-entrench there a significant intelligence concern.
Legal Action and Next Steps
Cases have been registered against the three accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation is underway, police said.
Point of View
They pivot to adjacent terrain. Security forces have rightly read this as a strategic shift, not a retreat. But the recovery of a police-issue INSAS rifle, reportedly looted in an earlier attack, is a reminder that past operational gaps continue to arm the adversary. The unverified claims of involvement in policemen killings also point to the need for transparent judicial processes — UAPA's broad sweep must be matched by credible, court-ready evidence if convictions are to hold.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What Maoist plot was foiled in Jharkhand's Dalma forest?
Security forces uncovered and dismantled a CPI-Maoist plan to re-establish the outfit's network in the Dalma forest region of Seraikela-Kharsawan district. According to police, the group was allegedly planning a major attack after being pushed out of the Saranda forest area by sustained security operations.
Who were the Maoists arrested in the Dalma operation?
Three cadres were arrested: sub-zonal committee member Ravi Singh Sardar (alias Sagar Singh), regional committee member Madan Mahato — who carried a ₹15 lakh reward — and sub-zonal commander Meena Paharia (alias Nepu Paharia), who had a ₹2 lakh bounty. Meena Paharia is reportedly the wife of Ravi Singh Sardar.
What arms were recovered in the Jharkhand Maoist operation?
The recovered cache included an INSAS rifle allegedly looted from police, a large quantity of live AKM-47 ammunition, a 9 mm pistol, magazines, walkie-talkies, codex wire, and a motorcycle, among other items.
Which security units conducted the Dalma anti-Maoist operation?
The joint operation involved district police personnel from Seraikela-Kharsawan, the 203 CoBRA battalion, the 134th battalion of the CRPF, and the 26th battalion of the SSB. The raid was launched on 4 August after intelligence indicated active Maoist cadres were sheltering in Udaipur village.
What charges have been filed against the arrested Maoists?
Cases have been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation is underway.
