Latehar, Jharkhand – May 25: Jharkhand Police carried out a successful anti-Naxal operation in Latehar district, resulting in the elimination of two high-ranking operatives of the outlawed extremist group Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP). The action marks a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing fight against left-wing extremism.
Among those killed was Pappu Lohra, identified as the head of JJMP, along with Prabhat Ganjhu, a prominent zonal commander. The operation was led solely by the local police without the involvement of central forces, underscoring their growing capacity and intelligence capabilities in tackling insurgency threats.
According to Jharkhand’s Director General of Police, Anurag Gupta, the region has seen relief with the removal of these dangerous individuals. He praised the efforts of the team and noted that this development would help restore peace and security in the affected areas.
Pappu Lohra had close to 100 serious criminal charges registered against him, including armed attacks, extortion, and involvement in the killing of government officials. His name was also linked to the brutal murder of a Deputy Commandant from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), along with several other violent crimes. A bounty of ₹10 lakh had been placed on his head by the authorities.
During the encounter, one Naxal was captured alive, and one police personnel sustained injuries but is reported to be stable. Officials have commended the courage of the injured officer, who continued to support his team during the high-risk mission.
“This is a moment of pride for the police force,” said DGP Gupta. “The district team executed a complex operation without external assistance and succeeded in bringing two major threats to justice.”
The state administration believes this incident will deal a serious blow to the JJMP’s organizational structure and may lead to a decline in Naxal-related activities in the region. Follow-up searches and surveillance efforts are ongoing to ensure the area remains secure.