Debunking the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement to have made the country free from Naxalites on April 1, their counter parts continued to fire guns in Jharkhand’s tribal dominated Saranda forest in West Singhbhum district.

In the latest incident, five jawans of the CoBRA battalion were injured in a fierce encounter with Naxalites in the forests of Saranda forest on Wednesday.

The clash reportedly took place around 10 a.m. between security forces and Naxals in a forested area between Marang Ponga and Baliba villages under Chhota Nagra police station limits.

The operation followed intelligence reports that wanted Naxal commander Misir Besra, along with his squad, was planning to relocate his camp.

A joint anti-insurgency team, including CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and district police, moved into the dense forest to intercept the group.

Reports indicate the Maoists opened fire as the forces closed in, resulting in a prolonged gunfight. Security personnel returned fire and reportedly gained the upper hand during the encounter.

Reports indicate that at least four Naxalites may have been killed and several others injured, though official confirmation has not been possible due to the challenging terrain and dense forest cover.

One injured CoBRA jawan was initially treated in Chaibasa and was airlifted to Ranchi for treatment in hospital. Other senior Naxal leaders, including Mochu, Sagen Angaria, and Ashwin, were believed to be present during the encounter.

Security forces are learnt to have strengthened the cordon and launched an extensive search operation to locate fleeing Maoists and verify casualties.