Ranchi: A Maoist camp was destroyed in Jharkhand after a 20-hour gunfight between the security forces and the rebels, police said on Monday. Security forces believe Maoist leader Kundan Pahan, accused of killing a MLA and many police officials, may have been hiding in the densely forested area in Bundu region of Jharkhand where the encounter took place.
"It was a 20-hour gunfight. Some Maoists also sustained bullet injuries," said a police officer.
"Search operation is on. We have surrounded the jungle in bordering areas as we suspect the presence of CPI-Maoist (Communist Party of India-Maoist) zonal commander Kunda Pahan in the area," the police officer said.
The gunbattle started on Sunday in the jungle areas bordering Khuti, Seraikela and Kharsawa districts of Jharkhand and continued overnight. It ended early on Monday, a police officer said.
Around 1000 personnel of the Jharkhand Police, Central Reserve Police Force and the anti-Maoist Jaguar Force were part of the operation. There are no reports of any casualty so far from the side of the security forces.
On Sunday, police got information that Pahan was staying with 45 Maoists in Jaranburu hill in the area bordering Khuti and Seraikela districts. The security forces surrounded the area and the gunfight started.
Pahan, who carries a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, is accused of killing former minister and Janata Dal-United legislator Ramesh Singh Munda in June 2008, abducting and beheading special branch inspector Francis Induwar, hijacking an ICICI delivery van and looting Rs 5 crore and killing more than a dozen security personnel in the last three years.
(With inputs from IANS)
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