4 Maoist camps, 7 bunkers destroyed in 4 days: Officials
JAMSHEDPUR: Four camps and seven bunkers of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) were destroyed by the joint team of Jharkhand Police, CRPF, and COBRA battalions in Kolhan forest division under West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand during the past four days, officials aware of the development said on Friday.
“Two old camps and seven bunkers capable of accommodating 60-70 Maoists were destroyed by the joint forces in the jungles near Jimki Ikir forest village under Tonto police station (PS) during the ongoing search operation on Thursday. A five kg IED and a skipe hole were also detected and destroyed. On Monday, two more Maoist camps were destroyed inside dense forests near Jhirjhor and Pokhria villagers under Tonto and Jeteya PS in West Singhbhum district. One of the camps could accommodate 70, and the other was capable of accommodating 30 extremists,” Ashutosh Shekhar, West Singhbhum superintendent of police (SP), told HT on Friday.
“Search operation has been going on by the joint team of district police, Jharkhand Jaguar, CRPF, and COBRA battalions against the Maoist squads led by politburo member Misir Besra, Anmol, Mochu, Chaman Sagen Angariya Kande Honhaga Lambu Ashwin, and Ajay Mahato deep inside Kolhan forest under Tonto and Goilkera PS areas since October 10, 2023. Dozens of IEDs, arrow bombs, and claymore mines have also been recovered and defused. Our battle will go on against the Maoists till complete neutralisation of them or till they surrender,” added Shekhar.
At least five security personnel have been killed and 32 injured, while 23 villagers have been killed and nine injured, in Maoist violence in the West Singhbhum district during the past one and a half years.
Police said that 30 pull pressure IED mechanisms, 16 Maoist books, a series IED mechanism, an ammunition pouch, 10 chargeable batteries, a command IED switch, 15-meter electric wire, a radio wireless set charger, five kg sharp nails, 15 kg steel container, two 1 kg steel container, five steel boxes, CPI Maoist book, district guidebook Maoist training notebook, 76 Naxalite banners, 50-meter red cloth, black, khaki uniforms, 25-meter water balance pipe, two iron rod cutters, ladies shawls and bags, medicine packs, and 16 plastic bags etc have been recovered during Thursday’s operation.