A top Maoist commander, Manish Yadav, carrying a ₹5 lakh reward, was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Latehar district of Jharkhand late on Sunday night.
Another wanted Maoist, Kundar Kherwar, who had a ₹10 lakh bounty, was captured at the scene. The encounter took place in the Karamkhad and Dauna forests under Mahuadanr Police Station in Latehar.
Police reported that the gunfight began on Sunday night and continued into Monday morning. Yadav’s body was recovered during a post-encounter search.
Palamu DIG Y.S. Ramesh confirmed the operation, stating that the police acted on a tip-off about Yadav’s presence.
When security forces were spotted, the Maoists opened fire, leading to Yadav’s death. Two automatic rifles and other items were recovered.
Yadav’s death marks the end of leadership for Bihar-based Maoist units operating from the Budha Pahad training centre.
A resident of Gaya, Yadav was considered the last senior Maoist commander from Bihar active in the Budha Pahad region, having operated there for over a decade. He rose from being a regular cadre to becoming a sub-zonal commander.
This is the second significant success for Jharkhand Police recently, following the killing of Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) commanders Pappu Lohra ( ₹10 lakh bounty ) and Prabhat Ganjhu ( ₹5 lakh bounty ) on Friday night.
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