Maoist Killed in Chaibasa Encounter

Jamshedpur: Elite security forces killed one Maoist during a gunbattle in the dense Tonto–Goilkera forest belt of West Singhbhum early Wednesday morning. The operation, led by the 209 CoBRA Battalion, targets high-ranking Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of ₹1 crore.

The Encounter at Rutugutu

The exchange of fire began around 4:30 AM near Rutugutu after security personnel, acting on specific intelligence, encountered an armed group. Troops had already spent two days combing the nearby areas of Boroi and Tunbera under the Goilkera police station limits.

As forces pushed into the forest, Maoists opened fire, sparking a prolonged gunbattle that lasted several hours. After the firing subsided, security teams recovered:

• One Deceased Maoist: Identification is currently in progress.

• Weaponry: One SLR rifle and various incriminating materials.

Hunt for Misir Besra Continues

While several insurgents used the dense vegetation to flee, security forces have sealed the surrounding region. Intelligence reports suggest that Misir Besra and his squad are active within this specific forest zone, prompting the massive, coordinated encirclement.

Additional personnel have arrived to support the ongoing search operation. Senior police officials confirmed that surveillance has been heightened across the Chaibasa forest regions to prevent any escape and to neutralize the remaining threat.

Security Priority

Authorities reiterated their commitment to eliminating insurgency in West Singhbhum through sustained pressure. This latest encounter is part of a broader strategy to secure the forest belt and capture high-value targets like Besra.