Chaibasa/Ranchi
Security forces in Jharkhand achieved a major breakthrough on Sunday morning. In a fierce encounter in the Relaparal forest under Goilkera police station limits in West Singhbhum district, the zonal commander of CPI (Maoist) and most-wanted Naxalite Amit Hansda alias Aptan was gunned down. The dreaded rebel carried a bounty of ₹10 lakh announced by the state government and had long been a major challenge for the forces.
Early in the morning, security agencies received intelligence inputs that a Maoist squad was hiding in the Relaparal forest and planning a major attack. Acting swiftly, a joint team of COBRA battalion and district police cordoned off the area. As soon as the Maoists sensed the presence of the forces, they opened indiscriminate fire.
The troops retaliated with equal force, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire that lasted for nearly half an hour. Under mounting pressure from the advancing troops, several Maoists managed to flee using the dense forest as cover. However, one was killed on the spot. Later, during a thorough search, the slain ultra was identified as Amit Hansda alias Aptan, zonal commander of CPI (Maoist).
From the encounter site, the forces recovered a rifle, a large cache of cartridges, and Maoist literature. Officials said these arms were being stockpiled to execute attacks on security forces and disrupt development work in the region. The recovery indicates that the Maoists were plotting a major operation which has now been foiled.
A Major Blow To Maoists
Hansda, alias Aptan, was a key figure in the Maoist network along the Jharkhand-Bihar border. With a Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head, he had been active for over 15 years and was known for orchestrating several high-profile attacks. He had built a strong base in Chaibasa, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts.
Security forces believe his death is a severe setback to the Maoist outfit. Aptan was considered a strategist, overseeing recruitment of new cadres and indoctrination of local youths into the movement. His elimination is expected to weaken the Maoist organizational structure in the region.
Sources said, Hansda was directly involved in multiple major incidents, including ambushes on security forces, attacks on road construction projects, extortion from contractors, and creating fear among villagers. Several serious cases were registered against him in police records.
Senior police officials described the success as a significant milestone in the anti-Naxal drive. They stated that the joint strategy of the state government and central forces has been steadily increasing pressure on Maoists, aiming to dismantle their strongholds. Authorities have also made it clear that such operations will continue until every Maoist cadre in the region is neutralized.
Search Operations Intensified
Following the encounter, security forces launched an intensive search operation across the forested area. It is suspected that several other Maoists who were with Aptan managed to escape during the gun battle. The forces have maintained a tight cordon to track them down and prevent regrouping.
With security agencies continuing aggressive search and destroy operations, the message is clear — the State as well as the Centre are determined to end Maoist violence and restore lasting peace in the region. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has gone public on several occasions announcing the Modi government’s resolve to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
Out of the total naxalism-affected districts, the number of most affected districts has been reduced from 12 to six, which include four districts from Chhattisgarh (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma), one from Jharkhand (West Singhbhum), and one from Maharashtra (Gadchiroli).
Similarly, out of the total 38 affected districts, the number of districts of concern, where additional resources need to be intensively provided beyond the severely affected districts, has reduced from nine to six.
The CPI (Maoist) have themselves admitted to losing 357 of their cadre, including some of their top leaders, in the past one year.
