Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Naxalite Commander Brijesh Ganjhu Killed in Varanasi Encounter
Police said Brijesh Ganjhu was killed during a gunfight in Varanasi on Sunday morning.
They described him as a leader of the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee in Jharkhand.
Police said he was wanted in 39 criminal cases.
The allegations included murder, kidnapping, extortion, weapons offences and violations of an anti-terror law.
A reward of Rs 30 lakh had been offered for information leading to his arrest.
Officers said they found him travelling on a motorcycle with another person.
Police said Ganjhu fired when they tried to stop him.
Two officers’ protective jackets were hit by bullets, but neither officer was hurt.
Ganjhu was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead, while his companion escaped.
UP ATS said Brijesh Ganjhu, alias Gopal Singh Bhokta, was killed in Varanasi early Sunday.
Police identified Ganjhu as a commander of the banned Jharkhand-based Tritiya Prastuti Committee.
He was wanted in 39 cases involving murder, extortion, arms offences, UAPA charges and other allegations.
A total reward of Rs 30 lakh had been announced by Jharkhand and the National Investigation Agency.
Police said Ganjhu opened fire during an attempted interception; bullets struck two officers’ bulletproof jackets, but both were safe.
- Who
- Brijesh Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh Bhokta, and Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel.
- What
- Ganjhu was killed in a police encounter after officers tried to intercept and arrest him.
- When
- Early Sunday morning, reportedly around 4 a.m.
- Where
- The Lanka Maidan area in the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi.
- Why
- Police said they were acting on information about Ganjhu’s presence and that he opened fire when officers attempted to stop him.
- Reported identity
- Brijesh Ganjhu, alias Gopal Singh Bhokta; police records also listed several other aliases.
- Alleged organization
- Tritiya Prastuti Committee, a banned Jharkhand-based Naxalite organization.
- Cases
- Police said 39 cases were registered against Ganjhu, including allegations of murder, extortion, kidnapping, arms offences and UAPA violations.
- Reward
- Rs 25 lakh from the Jharkhand government and Rs 5 lakh from the National Investigation Agency.
- Encounter account
- Police said Ganjhu was travelling by motorcycle with an associate, fired after being signalled to stop, and was wounded by retaliatory fire.
- Police personnel
- Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna were named; bullets reportedly struck their bulletproof jackets.
- Weapons reported recovered
- ATS sources said two pistols, live cartridges and spent shells were recovered.
