Archive · 23 Jan 2026
15 Maoists, Including Top Leader, Killed in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, India, a big fight happened between police and Maoists, who are like rebels.
The police knew that a very important Maoist leader named Anal Da was hiding in the Saranda forest.
They sent a lot of soldiers to catch him.
On Thursday morning, a gunfight started, and 15 Maoists were killed, including Anal Da.
The police had been looking for him for many years because he had a big reward of Rs 1 crore for his capture.
The forest is one of the last places where Maoists are strong.
The police have been successful in reducing Maoist activities in other areas.
Some people, like a political leader, said this is a big win against the Maoists.
15 Maoists, including top leader Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.
The encounter began at 6 am on Thursday in Saranda forest's Kumdi, with around 1,500 personnel of the CRPF's CoBRA unit involved.
Anal Da, a resident of Pirtand in Giridih district, had been active since 1987 and carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore.
The anti-Maoist operation in Saranda forest started on Tuesday, with the exchange of fire beginning on Thursday morning.
Kolhan and Saranda are considered the last strongholds of Maoists in Jharkhand, with security forces having curtailed their activities in other areas.
- Who
- 15 Maoists, including top leader Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da, and security forces
- What
- A gunfight resulting in the deaths of 15 Maoists
- When
- Thursday morning, with the operation starting on Tuesday
- Where
- Saranda forest's Kumdi in the Kiriburu police station area, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
- Why
- Security forces received a tip-off about the presence of Anal Da and his squad in the Saranda forest
Government
Maoists
Eradication of Naxalism
Government
The government is committed to eradicating Naxalism and has achieved a major success with the neutralization of top Naxal leaders.
Maoists
Maoists aim to continue their ideological struggle against the government, focusing on issues of inequality and injustice.
- Number of Maoists Killed
- 15
- Top Leader Killed
- Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da
- Bounty on Anal Da
- Rs 1 crore
- Location of Encounter
- Saranda forest's Kumdi, Kiriburu police station area, West Singhbhum district
- Security Forces Involved
- CRPF's CoBRA unit (around 1,500 personnel)
- Operation Start Date
- Tuesday (before the encounter on Thursday)
- Encounter Start Time
- 6 am on Thursday
- Maoist Strongholds in Jharkhand
- Kolhan and Saranda
Sources
15 Maoists, Including Top Leader With Rs 1 Crore Bounty, Killed in Jharkhand
Maoist with Rs 1 crore bounty among 15 killed in gunfight
Top Maoist leader carrying Rs 1 crore bounty among 15 killed in Jharkhand encounter
Shun violence, join mainstream: Amit Shah’s appeal as 16 Naxals killed in Jharkhand
Top Naxal With Bounty Of Rs 1 Crore Killed In Jharkhand: Amit Shah
Top Maoist among 15 killed in Jharkhand encounter
Jharkhand: Maoist leader carrying Rs 1 crore reward among 15 killed in gunfight with security forces
Gunbattle between security forces, Maoists in Jharkhand forest day after 16 killed
Jharkhand: 16 Naxals, including one with 1 crore bounty killed in encounter in Saranda forest
Nine high-rank Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh