Chaibasa, Jharkhand — In a landmark victory for internal security, Jharkhand security forces neutralized 15 Maoists, including the notorious top commander Patiram Manjhi, alias Anal Da, during a fierce encounter in the dense Saranda Forest on Thursday.
Anal Da, who carried a staggering bounty of ₹1 crore on his head, was a key strategist for the outlawed outfit. His elimination marks the most significant success for security forces in the region in recent years.
The Encounter: A Strategically Coordinated Strike
The operation was launched early Thursday morning near Kumbhdih village, under the jurisdiction of the Chotanagra police station in West Singhbhum district. Acting on “pinpoint intelligence” regarding a high-level Maoist gathering, a joint team of Jharkhand Police and paramilitary forces moved into the difficult terrain.
According to officials, the Maoists had prepared an ambush and opened indiscriminate fire as the forces approached. Security personnel retaliated with precision, strategically surrounding the group. After several hours of intense gunfire, the forces gained the upper hand, leading to the high casualty count among the insurgents.
Who was Anal Da?
Patiram Manjhi, widely known as Anal Da, was a native of Giridih district and a veteran of the Maoist movement for over 20 years.
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Territory: His influence spanned across Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Khunti, and the Kolhan region.
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Criminal Record: He was wanted in dozens of cases involving IED blasts, fatal attacks on security personnel, and large-scale extortion.
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Strategic Role: He was credited with reviving the Maoist presence in the Saranda and Kolhan belts, making him one of the most hunted figures in Eastern India.
Official Statements: Operations Ongoing
Jharkhand Police IG (Operations), Michaelraj S., confirmed the deaths and noted that “heavy losses” were inflicted on the Maoist cadre.
“Several bodies have been recovered along with a cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition. The entire area remains cordoned off as a massive search operation is still underway to ensure no remnants of the group remain in the vicinity,” said IG Michaelraj S.
DIG Anuranjan Kispotta (Kolhan division) added that while the primary encounter has subsided, detailed information will be released once the sanitization of the forest is complete.
Context: The “Decisive Action” Strategy
This successful operation follows a high-level strategy session recently chaired by CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh in Chaibasa. The meeting aimed to coordinate a “final push” against Maoist strongholds along the Jharkhand-Odisha border.
| Key Details of the Operation | Information |
| Location | Saranda Forest, West Singhbhum |
| Primary Target | Patiram Manjhi (Anal Da) |
| Bounty on Leader | ₹1 Crore |
| Total Casualties | 15 Maoists killed |
| Recoveries | Sophisticated weapons, IED materials, and daily supplies |
A Turning Point for 2026
This encounter is being hailed as the first major anti-Maoist success of 2026. It follows a series of intensified operations in the Tonto and Goilkera areas last year, signaling a shrinking footprint for the insurgency in their long-held bastions.
With senior officials monitoring the ground situation, the focus now shifts to the identification of the remaining 14 deceased cadres and the dismantling of the local support network that Anal Da commanded.
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