Latehar, May 26 (H.S.): A fierce encounter took place between the police and CPI (Maoist) Naxalites in the forests between Douna and Karamkhaad villages under the Mahuadand police station area of Jharkhand’s Latehar district. In the operation, police gunned down Manish Yadav, a Naxalite carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh. Another Naxalite, Kundan Kharwar, carrying a reward of ₹10 lakh, was arrested. The encounter, which began late Sunday night, lasted until Monday morning. A search operation is currently underway in the area.
DIG (Palamu Range) Y.S. Ramesh confirmed the encounter and said a combing operation is ongoing. He stated that Manish Yadav had been hiding in the forests near Douna village with his associates for the past few days. Acting on intelligence, a joint team of police and security forces was formed.
According to the police, around 2:00 AM on Sunday night, security forces launched a surprise attack in the jungle and surrounded the Naxalites from all sides. Panicked by the sudden move, the Naxalites opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. In the ensuing gunfight, top Maoist leader Manish Yadav was killed, and another Naxalite commander was arrested. Police also recovered two rifles from the scene during the raid.
