A police operation against Maoists in Udaipur village under Kandra police station area of Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district turned critical when a Maoist allegedly pointed a loaded AK-47 directly at the SP. The rifle contained 25 live cartridges, and the Maoist’s finger was on the trigger, but police officers quickly diverted the barrel and overpowered him.
Police received information on August 5 that a Maoist squad had assembled in the area. Police suspected that members of the organisation were involved in collecting levy and preparing for a major incident. Following the information, a police team led by the Seraikela SP launched an operation.
The team included the Seraikela SDPO, Kandra police station in-charge Vinod Kumar Murmu, sub-inspector Sonu Kumar Singh and other personnel.
During the cordon operation, police spotted a suspicious person wearing a blue cap and carrying a weapon as he ran towards a dense forest. Police pursued him and began a search operation in the surrounding area.
During the search, the police team reached an isolated house built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Police suspected that someone could be hiding inside. The door was locked from the inside, and the team assessed the situation and attempted to gather information about the person inside.
When police suspected that an armed Maoist was hiding inside, officers decided to take immediate action rather than retreat. As soon as the police team entered, the Maoist picked up an AK-47 and pointed it at the police officers. His finger was on the trigger and the weapon was fully loaded.
Police officers immediately pushed the rifle barrel towards another direction, preventing him from pressing the trigger. Police personnel then overpowered him and took possession of the weapon.
The arrested Maoist was identified as Ravi Singh Sardar alias Sagar Singh Sardar alias Viren Singh. According to police, he is said to be a sub-zonal committee member of the CPI (Maoist) organisation.
The AK-47 recovered from him had 25 live cartridges in its magazine.
After questioning the arrested Maoist, police received information related to his organisation and associates. Based on the information, police carried out operations in the border areas of Jharkhand and West Bengal. Five other associates and members linked to the Maoist organisation were also reported to have been arrested.
During the raids, police recovered weapons and ammunition, including a 9mm pistol, AK-47 cartridges and other weapons and ammunition. Motorcycles and propaganda material related to the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation were also recovered.
Police are investigating the activities being carried out in the area by the arrested Maoist and his associates. Police suspect that organisation members were attempting to collect levy and spread fear in the area. They are also investigating whether preparations were being made to carry out a major incident.
On the basis of a complaint filed by the Kandra police station in-charge, a named FIR was registered against the arrested and absconding Maoists. The accused have been charged with obstructing government work, attempting to launch a deadly attack on police personnel, attempting to snatch weapons and spreading terror.
The police operation is continuing. According to officials, some other Maoists, including Mangal, are absconding. Search operations are continuing in forests and surrounding areas, while security forces are monitoring possible hideouts.
According to the Jharkhand Police, more than 100 Maoists had been arrested in 2026 by mid-August, while several insurgents had also surrendered. Security forces have also recovered large quantities of weapons and ammunition.
The key incident during the Udaipur operation involved the police team confronting an armed Maoist at close range. Despite the loaded AK-47 being pointed towards the SP, police officers immediately diverted the weapon and arrested the accused.
Questioning of the arrested Maoist and his associates is continuing. Police are investigating the extent of the organisation’s network, the whereabouts of the absconding Maoists and whether preparations were being made for a major incident in the area.
