An encounter broke out between the police and the cadres of the outlawed Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP), a splinter group of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Garhwa district of Jharkhand on December 18, reported sources.
According to the information received, the incident occurred when a police team approached Thekura village under Ranka police station after solid intel about the presence of armed Maoists of the JJMP in the region.
It’s been learnt that the Garhwa police have received solid intel about the presence of Maoists in the said area, following which a police team was dispatched to the location. It’s been reported that after seeing the approaching police party, the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire upon the security forces, to which the personnel also retaliated heavily.
According to unconfirmed reports, a police official received bullet wounds in the gunfight, following which he was rushed to the nearby health centre. At the same time, a few of the Maoists are also reported to be gravely injured. Station House Officer (SHO) Ranka was reportedly referred to the nearby healthcare after sustaining injuries in the gunfight.
Many security personnel have been deployed in the area, and an extensive search operation is still underway; more details in the case are still awaited. It is to be noted that the bordering region of the state has been long affected by the insurgency and is considered a safe hideout for the ultras.
