Bokaro Encounter: Top Maoist Vivek with ₹1 crore bounty among 8 killed; weapons recovered

Bokaro encounter: As many as eight Maoists were killed in an encounter by the troops in Bokaro city of Jharkhand on Monday, April 21. Among those killed in the Bokaro encounter was top Maoist leader Vivek, who carried a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head.

Security forces recovered one AK-series rifle, one SLR, three INSAS rifles, a pistol, and eight country-made Bharmar rifles. No injuries were reported among the troops, and with firing ceased, search operations are now underway, according to the CRPF.

Earlier, four hardcore Maoists, involved in the killing of a police personnel earlier this year, were arrested by Gadchiroli Police and CRPF during a joint operation in the Palli forest area on April 19.

The arrested Maoists were allegedly planning a fresh attack and have been booked under several sections of BNS, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, UAPA, and MPA.

An official statement from Maharashtra Police said, Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district being affected by Maoist activities, Maoists engage in anti-National activities such as damaging government property, attacking security personnel, and obstructing government work by arsons etc.

According to the detailed report, on April 19, during a joint anti-Maoist operation in the forest area of Palli—under the jurisdiction of Tadgaon police station and within the limits of Bhamragad sub-division—personnel from Tadgaon police and CRPF 09 Battalion, F-Coy, detained four individuals found roaming suspiciously in the area.

Upon further investigation, the suspects were identified as Sailu Bhumayah Muddela Raghu alias Pratap alias Irapa, Jaini Bhima Kharatam alias Akhila alias Rame, Zansi Doge Talandi alias Gangu, Manila Pido Gawade alias Sarita – hardcore Maoists listed in the police records.

(With ANI inputs)