Ranchi: Security forces have made a significant breakthrough in anti-Naxal operations in eastern India by arresting a hardcore Maoist leader with a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. Ajay Mahto, also known as “Tiger,” was apprehended during a joint operation carried out by Giridih Police and central security forces. This arrest represents a major success in the continuous endeavours to disrupt insurgent networks that are active in the most sensitive areas of Jharkhand. Mahto was not only a wanted criminal in Jharkhand but also in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and by the central forces.
According to officials, Mahto was a key member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and had long been listed among the most wanted extremists by multiple security agencies. He was taken into custody along with weapons and is currently being interrogated at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Madhuban.
Major Breakthrough in Anti-Naxal Campaign
Inspector General (Operations) Narendra Kumar Singh confirmed the arrest, describing it as a “major achievement” resulting from coordinated action between state police and central forces. He stated that Mahto’s capture is expected to yield critical intelligence about Maoist operations, including their organisational structure, arms supply networks, improvised explosive device (IED) modules, extortion systems, and future strategies.
Security officials believe that the interrogation could significantly accelerate ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Jharkhand and adjoining regions. “We anticipate valuable inputs that will help identify active cadres, dismantle logistical networks, and prevent future attacks,” Singh said.
Arrest Details and Background
Mahto, a resident of Pandedih village in the Pirtand block of Giridih district, was arrested from the Nawadih area. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of district police and CRPF’s elite CoBRA unit conducted a raid at a house in Harladih village, where he was reportedly staying alone. The operation was swift, and officials said no resistance was encountered during the arrest.
Authorities confirmed that Mahto was an active member of the Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee (BJSAC), a crucial operational wing of the Maoist organisation in the region. His role within the group was not merely that of a foot soldier; he was considered a senior operative deeply involved in planning and executing major attacks.
Extensive Criminal Record
Police records indicate that Ajay Mahto was implicated in more than 200 criminal cases across Jharkhand. These include charges of murder, attempted murder, attacks on police and security forces, IED blasts, extortion, violations under the Arms Act, and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Investigators say Mahto played a central role in Maoist activities across Saranda, Kolhan, West Singhbhum, and surrounding areas. He was actively involved in planting IEDs, coordinating attacks, managing cadres, and devising operational strategies against security forces.
Key Role in Major Attacks
Over the past six years, Mahto’s involvement has been traced in several high-profile Maoist incidents in Jharkhand. In 2020, he was linked to the murder of a villager accused of being a police informer, as well as an IED blast targeting a forest department office.
Between 2021 and 2022, multiple attacks on security forces and IED explosions bore his operational signature. In 2023, his squad reportedly carried out several major attacks, including IED blasts in the Tumbahaka and Meralgarha regions that left multiple CoBRA battalion personnel injured.
That same year, he was also linked to the looting of explosive stockpiles and a deadly encounter in the Tonto area, in which Jharkhand Jaguar Sub-Inspector Amit Tiwari and constable Gautam Kumar lost their lives. Another incident in the Hathiburu region involving a spike hole explosion was also attributed to his group.
Continued Violence in Recent Years
Even in 2024 and 2025, Mahto remained actively involved in violent activities. His squad was accused of killing villagers on suspicion of police informant activities, as well as carrying out repeated IED attacks and ambushes targeting security personnel. Several CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar personnel were either killed or injured in these operations.
In October 2025, an IED blast in the Samatha forest area led to the death of a trained sniffer dog from the CoBRA battalion, highlighting the continued threat posed by Maoist tactics. More recently, in March 2026, encounters in the forests of Marangponga and Kinbir resulted in injuries to several CoBRA officers and Jawan due to gunfire and subsequent IED blasts. Investigators believe Mahto played a key role in orchestrating these attacks.
Expert in IEDs and Tactical Operations
Security agencies have described Ajay Mahto as a key IED expert within the Maoist organisation . His responsibilities included designing and planting explosive devices, ensuring the supply of weapons and ammunition, organising extortion activities, and training new recruits. He was also considered a mastermind behind several high-profile attacks, often involved in strategic planning and execution. His technical expertise in explosives made him particularly dangerous and difficult to track.
Impact on Maoist Network
Officials believe that Mahto’s arrest will significantly weaken Maoist operations in the Saranda, Kolhan, and Giridih regions. His removal from the organisation is expected to disrupt command structures and operational planning, at least in the short term. Security forces are now focusing on extracting actionable intelligence from him to identify other key operatives, uncover arms supply routes, and dismantle financial networks that sustain insurgent activities.
Ongoing Interrogation and Future Action
Following his arrest, Mahto was taken to a CRPF facility in Madhuban for detailed interrogation. Authorities are hopeful that the information gathered will lead to further arrests and the neutralisation of remaining Maoist modules. Senior officials emphasised that operations against extremist groups will continue with increased intensity. “This is a decisive moment, but not the end. We will build on this success to ensure lasting peace and security in the region,” a senior official said.
The arrest of Ajay Mahto represents not just the capture of an individual but a strategic victory in the broader fight against left-wing extremism in India. As investigations proceed, security agencies remain vigilant, aiming to capitalise on this breakthrough to dismantle the remaining insurgent infrastructure.
