Security forces killed a Maoist identified as Israel Purti, who carried a bounty of ₹1 lakh, during a 45-minute encounter in the Kolhan forest region of Jharkhand. The body has been sent for postmortem and search operations are ongoing in the area.
A gunfight took place on Wednesday morning in a dense forest along the border of Tonto and Goilkera blocks in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region between security forces and Maoists. The exchange of fire lasted approximately 45 minutes, resulting in the death of Israel Purti, identified as a Maoist operative.
According to police, the operation involved COBRA commandos and a Maoist squad, causing losses to the Maoist group.
Israel Purti, who was carrying a bounty of ₹1 lakh, was killed in the encounter. His body was brought to Sadar Hospital in Jharkhand late Thursday night. A team of three doctors will conduct the postmortem on Friday, after which the body will be handed over to his family.
Police described Purti as an active and dangerous Maoist involved in multiple violent incidents.
Purti was a resident of Sangajata village under Goilkera police station limits. He joined the Maoist organisation at the age of 13 and became an active member in 2017.
According to information, he had passed Class 5 in the same year. His father, Charan Purti, did not want him to join Maoist activities, but he became associated with the group due to local influence and the training network operating in the village.
Purti had extensive knowledge of the dense forests in the Kolhan region and was considered an important member of the Maoist squad. He played a role in guiding the group through safe routes, monitoring the movement of security forces, and planning evasion strategies during operations.
Police records indicate that Purti was wanted in several serious cases, including the killing of villagers, abduction, violence on suspicion of police informers, and IED blasts.
His involvement was also reported in the recent Ramesh Champia murder case. Security forces described his death as a setback for the Maoist organisation.
Police officials said the encounter occurred with a squad led by Sagen Angaria, a Maoist carrying a bounty of ₹5 lakh. Operations against this squad are ongoing in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand.
Authorities stated that search operations in the area have been intensified to curb Maoist activities.
Following the encounter, intensive search operations are underway across the region. Security forces are continuing efforts to locate other Maoists hiding in the forest.
The Superintendent of Police in Jharkhand stated that operations against Maoists will continue and restoring peace in the region remains the priority.
