Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday praised the security forces for their successful operation against Naxals in Jharkhand’s Bokaro, where eight Maoists — including three high-ranking commanders — were killed in a joint early-morning encounter.
“Our march to eliminate Naxalism continues unabated,” Shah said in a post on X. “Today, security forces achieved another significant success. In an encounter at Lugu Hills in Bokaro, 8 Maoists were neutralised, including top-level leader Vivek, who had a bounty of ₹1 crore.”
The operation, which began around 5:30 am, was carried out jointly by the Jharkhand Jaguar unit, state police, and the Central Reserve Police Force’s elite CoBRA unit. The gun battle lasted nearly two hours in the Lalpania region’s Lugu Hills, a known Naxal stronghold.
Jharkhand Director General of Police Anurag Gupta confirmed the elimination of eight insurgents, among them top Naxals Vivek alias Prayag Majhi (₹1 crore reward), Arvind Yadav (₹25 lakh), and Sahebram Majhi alias Rahul Majhi (₹10 lakh). He also issued a strong warning to remaining insurgents: “We know the details and locations of all active Naxals in the state. Surrender and join the mainstream or face the consequences.”
Recovered from the encounter site were several high-powered weapons, including an AK-series rifle, an SLR, three INSAS rifles, a pistol, and eight country-made firearms.
Other Naxals neutralised include Mahesh Majhi alias Mota, Talu, Raju Majhi, Gangaram, and Mahesh. Officials say the operation is part of a broader intensified crackdown on Naxal activity across the region.
CRPF officials emphasized that the operation reflects the growing precision and coordination between various security forces in targeting left-wing extremism. With this success, the government reiterated its commitment to fully dismantling the remaining Naxal networks and restoring peace in affected areas.