Hazaribagh encounter: Top Maoist Sahdev Soren killed with two aides, AK-47 seized, 2 jawans injured

 

Security forces shot dead three wanted Maoists, including top leader Sahdev Soren, in an encounter in Hazaribagh’s Pati Piri forest on Monday. Police confirmed that two jawans sustained injuries in the gun battle.

 

The joint team of CRPF’s Cobra 209 battalion and Hazaribagh police launched an operation after receiving intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the Ghorhar police station area. The exchange of fire lasted several hours in the dense forest terrain, leaving three Maoists dead.

 

Among those killed was Sahdev Soren alias Parvesh, a central committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist). The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for his capture. Security agencies had been tracking him for a long time due to his involvement in several major Maoist operations across Jharkhand and Bihar.

 

 

Two other Maoist leaders also fell in the encounter. Police identified them as Raghunath Hembrom, a member of the Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee, carrying a Rs 25 lakh reward, and Birsen Ganjhu alias Ramkhelawan, a regional committee member with a Rs 10 lakh bounty. Both had been active in Maoist strongholds along the Bihar-Jharkhand border and were linked to multiple violent incidents.

 

Two Cobra personnel, Ajay Bhoumik from Assam and Subrato Biswas from West Bengal, suffered bullet injuries during the firefight. Doctors at Barhi Sub-Divisional Hospital provided them first aid before referring them to Hazaribagh Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment. Their condition remains stable.

 

Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, a cache of explosives, and other weapons from the spot. Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan confirmed the recoveries and described the operation as a major success for security forces. “We are keeping strict watch on Maoist movements. Search operations in the surrounding forest areas have been intensified to ensure no Maoist escapes,” he said.

 

Officials believe the loss of Sahdev Soren, Raghunath Hembrom, and Birsen Ganjhu has dealt a significant blow to Maoist operations in the region. Security forces have stepped up counter-insurgency measures in Hazaribagh and neighbouring districts to prevent regrouping attempts by the outlawed organisation.

 

This encounter comes as part of ongoing anti-Maoist drives in Jharkhand, where security forces have targeted senior Maoist leaders in recent months. Police said the latest operation underscores their determination to weaken Maoist influence in the state.