Security forces in Jharkhand dealt a major blow to Left-Wing Extremism, killing four hardcore Maoists, including senior regional commander Sahdeo Mahto, in a fierce encounter in the Khapia forest area of Hazaribagh.
The operation, carried out by elite commandos of the 209 CoBRA Battalion and local police, was based on precise intelligence inputs targeting a squad led by Sahdeo Mahto alias Anuj, a notorious regional committee member.
The encounter began around 2pm when the Maoist group opened fire on the advancing troops, leading to an intense exchange of fire. After a half-hour encounter, four Maoists were neutralised.
Those killed were identified as Sahdeo Mahto alias Anuj, a veteran commander who had previously escaped custody during the 2011 Chaibasa jailbreak; Natasha, a special zonal committee member and wife of Sahdeo Mahto; Budhan Karmali, an area commander; and Ranjeet Ganjhu, also an area commander.
Security forces also recovered a huge cache of sophisticated weapons from the site of the counter, including two AK-series rifles, one Colt AR-15, and one INSAS rifle.
