The security forces got a major success in an early morning encounter in Jharkhand's Bokaro, killing over 8 Naxalites. The joint forces of Jharkhand Police and CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received intel about the presence of Naxalites in the region, after which the operation was initiated.
During the search operation, contact was established at around 5:30 am, in which eight Naxalites, with some carrying heavy bounties, were neutralised.
Who was Naxal commander Vivek?
Several reports suggest that a top Naxal commander named Vivek, carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, has also been killed in the encounter. As per the information available on the Jharkhand Police website, Vivek is also known other names like Prayag Manjhi, Fuchna, Naago Manjhi, Karan and Letara.
He was a resident of the Dulbudha village in Dhanbad's Tundi police station limits. Vivek was a Central Committee Member (CCM) of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
As per the information, he was the second top Naxalite wanted by the Jharkhand Police and was among the only four Naxalites with a bounty as much as Rs 1 crore.
Other Naxalites killed in Bokaro encounter
Meanwhile, other Naxalites killed include, Saheb Ram Manjhi and Arvind Yadav, among others. While Saheb Ram carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh over their heads Yadav carried Rs 25 lakh bounty
During the operation in the Lugu Hills area under the Lalpania police station limits, the security forces also recovered one SLR, two INSAS rifles, and one pistol.
CRPF issued a statement regarding the encounter and said, "No injuries or casualties have been reported among the security personnel involved in the operation," the CRPF said in a statement.
"The gunfire has ceased, and a thorough search operation is currently underway in the area to ensure complete sanitisation and to trace any remaining insurgents or hidden weaponry," added the CRPF.
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