In a major breakthrough for security forces, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and local police neutralised a notorious 30-lakh bounty-carrying Naxalite commander in an intense encounter in Varanasi. The slain Maoist leader was a top commander of a banned outfit in neighbouring Jharkhand and had been evading central and state law enforcement agencies for years.
Joint Operation by UP ATS in Ramnagar Area
According to official details, the operation unfolded in the Ramnagar police station jurisdiction of Varanasi. Acting on strict actionable intelligence, security teams intercepted two suspects riding a motorcycle near Tanga More close to Lanka Maidan. When cornered by the police, the suspects instead of surrendering opened indiscriminate fire on the approaching security personnel.
The police retaliated in self-defense, during which the main Naxalite leader sustained critical bullet injuries. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where attending doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. A massive search operation has been launched in the area to track down his associate who managed to flee the spot during the exchange of gunfire.
Identified as TPC Commander Brijesh Ganjhu
The deceased has been identified as Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh, a dreaded commander of the proscribed 'Tritya Prastuti Committee' (TPC). Ganjhu carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh announced by the Jharkhand government and an additional Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 reward from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), taking his total cumulative bounty to Rs 30 lakh. He was wanted by the NIA in connection with several major terror-funding and violent insurgency cases registered nearly a decade ago.
UP ATS Officers Have a Narrow Escape
During the heavy exchange of fire, bullets struck the bulletproof jackets worn by UP ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna. Fortunately, due to protective gear, both officers escaped unhurt, averting a major tragedy. Senior police officials rushed to the hospital upon receiving news of the encounter to review the security situation.
Jharkhand Police spokesperson and IG Operations Narendra Singh officially confirmed the development, stating that coordinated intelligence sharing between UP and Jharkhand security apparatus led to the successful elimination of the high-profile target. Security experts view this development as a severe blow to underground Maoist networks attempting to regroup in northern and eastern states.
