The encounter broke out on Wednesday morning between security forces and Naxalites in the dense and hilly terrain of Souta, under the Goilkera police station limits in the Saranda forest region of West Singhbhum district.
According to the officials, West Singhbhum, intelligence inputs on 12 August indicated that senior Maoist leaders including Misir Besra, Anmael, Maechhu, Anal, Asim Mandal, Ajay Mehta, Sagan Angaria, and Ashwin — along with their squad members — were active in the Kalhan/Saranda forest region, plotting to target police and security forces around Independence Day. The squad reportedly included several notorious commanders such as Ravi Sardar, Jaikant, Arun, Sandeep, Shiva, Risib, Uptan, Sanat, Amit Munda, and Bhuneshwar alias Saluka Kayam Somwari.
Acting swiftly, a joint team of Chaibasa District Police and Cobra 209 Commando Group launched an anti-Maoist operation in the Dugunia–Posaita–Tumbagada area under Goilkera police station limits. Around 6:00 am on 13 August, the Maoists opened fire on the approaching forces. The security team retaliated, triggering a fierce gunfight in the forested and hilly terrain.
Under heavy pressure, the Maoists fled using the cover of the dense forest. A subsequent search led to the recovery of the body of Area Commander Arun, along with an SLR rifle, live cartridges, and other materials. Arun was a high-ranking Maoist operative from Ka Enta village, Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, and was wanted in several cases of violence and anti-national activities.
Security forces have intensified combing operations in the region as the anti-Maoist campaign continues Forces involved in the operation: Chaibasa District Police and Cobra 209 Commando Group.
