Ranchi: In a significant victory for security forces in Jharkhand, two Naxal leaders from the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) group, including its chief Pappu Lohra and zonal commander Prabhat Ganjhu, were neutralised by Jharkhand Police in Latehar district on Saturday. The encounter, which took place during a search operation, resulted in the death of both leaders, who were carrying bounties of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively. Police also recovered arms and ammunition from the site.
Amol Vinukant Homkar, IG Operations of Jharkhand Police, confirmed the operation’s success, calling it a “big day” in the region’s ongoing battle against Naxalism. Speaking to ANI, Homkar said, “It’s a big day for all the security forces working in Jharkhand to eliminate Naxalism. JJMP Naxal group - along with its Supremo Pappu Lohra - were gathered in Latehar PS area for inducing violence.”
“A police team was in a search operation in the forest area when the Naxal group opened fire - the police retaliated, and the encounter went on for a long time. Police later searched the area, where two bodies were recovered and another Naxal was injured,” he said.
Adding further, he stated, “The bodies were identified as Pappu Lohra - the chief of the Naxal group, and he has an award of Rs 10 lakh on his head; and of Prabhat Ganjhu, the zonal commander of the Naxal group carrying an award of Rs 5 lakh on his head. The police also recovered arms and ammunition from the site.”
Meanwhile, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth also spoke to ANI over the Latehar encounter and said, “An encounter with Naxalites began at 6 am in the rural areas of Latehar. Pappu Lohra and another Naxalite have been killed in the encounter.” (ANI)
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