Three Maoists carrying a cumulative bounty of ₹1.35 crore were neutralised in a major counter-insurgency operation in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district on September 15, 2025.

The encounter unfolded at dawn around 6 a.m. in the dense Pantitri forest under Gorhar police station, when security forces comprising the CRPF’s elite 209 CoBRA battalion and Jharkhand Police initiated a search operation based on intelligence inputs of Maoist movement.

A fierce exchange of fire ensued, leading to the deaths of three insurgents, including a top-ranking commander with a reward of ₹1 crore on his head, underscoring the operational success against high-value Maoist leadership in the state.

The Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police, Anjani Anjan, confirmed the elimination of the trio and recovery of arms and ammunition from the site, noting that the precise execution of the joint action prevented Maoist regrouping or escape.

Officials revealed that the neutralised cadres were actively involved in orchestrating extortion, ambushes on security patrols, and disruption of mining and developmental activities across the Bokaro–Hazaribagh belt, making their elimination a significant strategic setback to the insurgent network.

Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the forces for the decisive victory, declaring that with this operation, the menace of Naxalism has been completely rooted out of the Bokaro region in north Jharkhand. 

Security analysts highlighted that the encounter demonstrates the shrinking influence of Maoist groups in their erstwhile strongholds, where sustained intelligence-led operations, combined with developmental outreach, have drastically reduced safe zones for insurgents.

The killing of three high-bounty cadres marks a symbolic and operational turning point, reflecting both the rapid attrition of Maoist leadership and the growing dominance of state security forces in the region.

Agencies