Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Jharkhand Naxal Commander Killed in Varanasi Police Encounter
Uttar Pradesh Police said they found a wanted Naxalite commander in Varanasi.
The man was Brijesh Ganjhu, also called Gopal Singh Bhokta.
Police said he was riding a motorcycle with another person early Sunday morning.
Officers tried to stop him near Ramnagar.
According to police, he got off the motorcycle and fired at them.
Police then fired back, injuring him.
He was taken to a hospital but was declared dead when he arrived.
Authorities had offered money for information that helped lead to his arrest.
Uttar Pradesh Police killed Brijesh Ganjhu, a commander of the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee, in Varanasi.
The encounter occurred early Sunday morning in the Ramnagar area while Ganjhu was traveling by motorcycle.
Police said Ganjhu allegedly opened fire after officers attempted to stop and arrest him.
He was injured in the exchange of fire and was declared dead at a hospital.
The Jharkhand government had announced a Rs 25 lakh reward, while the National Investigation Agency offered Rs 5 lakh.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Police and Brijesh Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh Bhokta, a commander of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee.
- What
- Police said Ganjhu was killed in an exchange of fire during an attempted arrest.
- When
- Early Sunday morning.
- Where
- The Ramnagar area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Police said they acted on informer-provided information and attempted to arrest Ganjhu, who allegedly opened fire when officers tried to stop him.
- Deceased
- Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta
- Organisation
- Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), described as a banned Naxalite organisation
- Location
- Ramnagar area of Varanasi
- Police account
- Ganjhu allegedly fired at officers after they tried to stop him
- Jharkhand government reward
- Rs 25 lakh for information leading to his arrest
- National Investigation Agency reward
- Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his arrest
- Transport
- Ganjhu was traveling on a motorcycle with an associate