Palamu, September 4: Two policemen were killed and another injured in a fierce encounter with Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) Naxals in Palamu district late Wednesday night. The incident took place around 12:30 a.m. in Kedal forest under Manatu police station.
According to police, security forces had launched a special operation after receiving information that TSPC rebels were camping in the forest and planning an attack. As soon as the police teams reached the spot, the Naxals opened fire with AK-47 rifles. The encounter lasted for nearly 15 minutes, during which the rebels and security forces exchanged heavy gunfire.
Two policemen, Sunil Ram and Santan Mehta, lost their life in the encounter while Rohit Kumar, was shot in the thigh. He was rushed to Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH), where doctors successfully removed the bullet and his condition is reported to be stable.
The area where the encounter took place is considered the stronghold of top TSPC commander Shashikant Ganjhu, who carries a cash reward of ₹10 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government. The gun battle site was barely 100 meters from his residence. Though some Naxals are believed to have been injured or killed, no bodies have been recovered yet.
Palamu SP Reeshma Ramesan and DIG Naushad Alam rushed to the spot and later visited the injured jawan at MMCH. Senior police officials expressed grief over the loss of the two policemen and assured that operations against Naxals would be intensified. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a massive search operation to track down the naxals.
