Massive encounter in Jharkhand-Five Maoists killed

Amaravathi: At least five Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday, police said. The encounter took place along the Chatra-Palamu border in Lawalong police station area, around 160 km from state capital Ranchi. “Five Maoists were killed and several others suffered bullet injuries. The bodies of all the red rebels have been recovered,” Chatra SP Rakesh Ranjan said. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also seized from the spot, he said. While speaking to ANI, Jharkhand Police said, “The five naxals killed include; Gautam Paswan and Charlie both were SAC members and carried a reward of ₹25 lakh each, Nandu, Amar Ganjhu, and Sanjeev Bhuiyan were sub-zonal commanders & carried a reward of ₹5 lakh each. AK 47, Insas rifles recovered. Further operation is on.” SDPO Ashok Priyadarshi said the gunfight started around 8.30 am. “The seized arms include two AK-47 rifles and two country made rifles. The search operation is still underway,” he said.