Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Security forces target Maoist leader Akash along Bengal-Jharkhand border
Police from two neighboring states in India, West Bengal and Jharkhand, are working together to catch a very wanted person named Akash.
Akash leads a group called Maoists, and there is a reward of one crore rupees for information about him.
The police are searching the forests, hills, and villages around a place called Bandwan.
Before this, police caught another man named Mihir Besra, who shared information about where Akash might be hiding.
They learned that Akash and about ten of his people were staying near the Dalma Hills.
The police are using a special plan called the 'Saranda Model' that started in 2011.
This plan works in two steps: the police first make an area safe, and then the government brings roads, hospitals, and electricity.
The goal is to completely remove the Maoist group from West Bengal.
The search continues day and night, with new teams of police taking over every 12 hours.
West Bengal and Jharkhand police launched a massive combined combing operation in the Bandwan area of Purulia district to apprehend Maoist leader Akash and his squad.
Ashim Mandal alias Akash, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore and is also known as Timir or Manoj, is one of the few Maoist central committee members still at large.
The operation follows the 'Saranda Model' (Saranda Action Plan), launched in Jharkhand in 2011, which pairs security operations with rapid delivery of administration, roads, electricity, and healthcare.
Intelligence from the arrest of Maoist member Mihir Besra revealed that Akash and a group of 10-12 squad members had set up a base near the Dalma Hills in Jharkhand.
Top police officials from both states decided to completely eradicate Maoists from West Bengal, mirroring strategies adopted in Jharkhand and Odisha in line with central government policy.
Continuous operations have been underway since Thursday evening across villages, hills, and forests adjoining Bandwan, with personnel rotated every 12 hours.
- Who
- West Bengal and Jharkhand police forces, targeting Maoist leader Ashim Mandal alias Akash and his squad
- What
- A massive combing operation to apprehend Maoist leader Akash, launched under the 'Saranda Model' to eradicate Maoists from West Bengal
- When
- Started Thursday evening; operations have continued continuously since, with personnel rotated every 12 hours
- Where
- The Bandwan area of Purulia district, West Bengal, along the Bengal-Jharkhand border
- Why
- To capture Maoist central committee member Akash, who carries a Rs 1 crore bounty, after intelligence revealed his squad's base near the Dalma Hills
- Target
- Ashim Mandal alias Akash (also known as Timir or Manoj), Maoist central committee member
- Bounty
- Rs 1 crore
- Operation area
- Bandwan, Purulia district, West Bengal, bordering Jharkhand
- Model
- Saranda Model / Saranda Action Plan, launched in Jharkhand in 2011
- Trigger
- Arrest of Maoist member Mihir Besra revealed Akash's base near the Dalma Hills
- Forces involved
- Purulia Superintendent of Police, joint force personnel, bomb squad, explosives and acoustics experts, landmine detection teams
- Personnel rotation
- Every 12 hours
- Key officials
- DIGs Anuranjan Kispotta (Kolhan Range), Abhishek Modi (Bankura Range), Brijesh Kumar Rai (Western Range)