NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 22 lauded the anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district that resulted in neutralisation of over a dozen Maoists, including a top commander.
In a post on X, the Union Home Minister termed the encounter a major success in the ongoing Naxal-free Bharat campaign.
“Today, in a joint operation by CRPF and Jharkhand Police in West Singhbhum, the Naxal-free campaign got a major success with the encounter of notorious Maoist and central committee member Anal alias Patiram Manjhi, carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and 15 other Naxalites,” said Shah
The Home Minister reiterated that Naxalism will be eradicated before March this year and appealed to the remaining Naxalites to abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream.
“We are determined to end Naxalism, which has been synonymous with fear and terror for decades, before March 31, 2026. I once again appeal to the remaining Naxalites to abandon the ideology that links them with violence, terror and weapons and join the mainstream of development and trust,” he added.
आज पश्चिमी सिंहभूम में CRPF और झारखंड पुलिस द्वारा चल रहे एक जॉइंट ऑपरेशन में ₹1 करोड़ का कुख्यात इनामी नक्सली सेंट्रल कमेटी मेंबर 'अनल उर्फ पतिराम मांझी' और 15 अन्य नक्सलियों के अब तक एनकाउंटर से नक्सलमुक्त अभियान को बड़ी सफलता मिली।
दशकों से भय और आतंक के पर्याय रहे नक्सलवाद…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 22, 2026
At least 15 hardcore Maoists were killed in a major anti-Naxal operation launched in the Saranda forest area, the only remaining stronghold of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the state of Jharkhand.
The operation, which was named ‘Meghaburu’, involving personnel from Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite counter-insurgency unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police, resulted in a decisive blow to the banned outfit, several of whose top cadres were killed in the gunfight.
Among those neutralised was Anal Da alias Patiram Manjhi, a notorious Maoist commander carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 2.35 crore on his head and Anmol alias Sushant, a member of the Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee who had a reward of Rs 90 lakh announced by the government.
Manjhi, a resident of Giridih district, was active in the unlawful organisation since the late 80’s and was facing 149 cases. He was involved in several high-profile incidents, including attacks on a security camp, the looting of weapons and the killings of security personnel.
A bounty of Rs 1 crore was placed on his head by the Jharkhand government, and the Odisha government announced a reward of Rs 1.12 crore. Manjhi was also wanted by the National Investigation Agency, which had declared a reward of Rs 15 lakhs for him. Anmol alias Hembrem was also facing 149 cases registered against him at separate police stations across the state.
Among the others gunned down in the encounter were Amit Munda, a regional committee member carrying a reward of Rs 62 lakhs and Pintu Lohar, a sub-zonal committee member. Lohar had 47 cases registered against him and was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakhs.
The gunfight took place in the forest area near the Kubhadih village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Chotanagra police station of Saranda. The operation was launched after security officials received a tip-off about the presence of Maoists of Anal’s squad.
The joint team has also recovered weapons, including AK-47 and Insas rifles, from the site of the gunfight.
With the encounter on Thursday, officials said, there are only 40-50 Maoists led by central committee member Misir Besra alias Nirbhay left active in the Saranda area, with another 10 Naxalites hiding in other districts of the state. The campaign against remaining Maoists is set to continue with security forces eying to meet the target announced by the Union Government to eradicate red terror by March this year.
