Security forces, Maoists clash in Garhwa district

GARHWA/LATEHAR: Security forces and Maoists clashed in Garhwa district’s Burha Pahar region on Wednesday morning. No injury from either side was reported in the encounter, which lasted for over an hour.

This is the ninth clash in the last one year between security forces and the extremist squad led by Arvind aka Dev Kumar Singh, who carries a cash reward of `1 crore on his head. Barring one encounter in Gumla district, all the clashes have taken place in the Burha Pahar region.

The encounter began when security forces comprising personnel from the combat battalion for resolute action (CoBRA), central reserve police force and the state police were carrying out anti-Maoist offensives in the region.

“The Maoist cadre opened fire and triggered landmines before making a retreat,” Palamu range deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Bipul Shukla said. “No damage was reported on either side.”

Latehar superintendent of police Anoop Birtharay said, “The offensive against the rebels is going on. We are committed to take on the Maoists holed up in Burha Pahar region.”