Top Maoist commander Tulsi Bhuinya killed in police encounter in Jharkhand
'Operation is going on against Maoists in Palamu since early morning. Jharkhand Jaguar and Palamu Police personnel are involved in this operation. A Maoist commander has been killed in the encounter and a weapon has also been recovered. There are reports of many Maoists getting shot during the encounter. Jawans are conducting search operations on a large scale in the area,' Jharkhand police spokesperson and IG (Operation) Amol V. Homkar told The Hindu.
ANALYSIS | Is this the endgame for the Maoists?
Maoist Nitesh Yadav, who has a reward of ₹15 lakh, and Sanjay Godram, who has a reward of ₹10 lakh, were in the squad of Bhuinya.
On Saturday (May 24, 2025) two dreaded Maoists, including Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) supremo Pappu Lohra alias Suryadev Lohra, was killed by the security forces in Ichabar forest of Latehar district.
Also Read | Top Maoist leader Basavraju among 27 killed in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur
Similarly, on Monday (May 26, 2025), in another encounter with the Maoists, Latehar police gunned down Manish Yadav, who was carrying a reward of ₹ 5 lakh, and arrested dreaded Maoist Kundan Singh Kharwar, who had a bounty of ₹10 lakh on his head.
For the last 15 years, Nitesh Yadav has remained a challenge for Jharkhand as well Bihar Police.
Also Read | 4 Maoists with ₹18 lakh bounty killed in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli
Top officers of Jharkhand Police and Jharkhand Jaguar officers are continuously monitoring the situation. 'Police have inputs that the Maoists who fled have been shot and a search operation is being conducted in large numbers. Security forces have cordoned off the entire area. The body of a Maoist commander, Tulsi Bhuinya has been recovered from the spot. While an SLR has also been recovered,' Mr Homkar said.
He said that in the encounter, Nitesh Yadav is also reported to have been shot. Top officials of Jharkhand Jaguar including Palamu SP Rishma Rameshan are camping in the area.
EDITORIAL | Decisive moment: On Chhattisgarh anti-Maoist operation
Mr Homkar pointed out that Jharkhand Police had received information that Nitesh Yadav along with his squad was planning to carry out a major incident in the border areas of Hussainabad, Mohammadganj and Haidernagar.
In the light of this information, Palamu Police and Jharkhand Jaguar started a search operation. During the search operation, an encounter took place in the area of Sitachuaan.
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