Jharkhand and West Bengal Police Intensify Joint Operations Against Maoist Leader Asim Mandal
Security forces from Jharkhand and West Bengal have intensified a coordinated joint operation along their shared border to capture top CPI (Maoist) leader Asim Mandal. Mandal, a Central Committee member carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore, is believed by officials to represent one of the last remaining pillars of Maoist influence in the Kolhan region. Authorities state that his arrest would deal a decisive blow to insurgent activities in eastern India.
Mandal has long been a key figure in Maoist operations across Kolhan and adjacent parts of West Bengal, where he has maintained influence and orchestrated activities for several years. Security agencies now consider Kolhan to be the final bastion of Maoist presence in the region. Intelligence inputs suggest that Mandal is currently operating with a small group of only seven to eight cadres, prompting authorities to escalate their tracking and apprehension efforts.
Joint Border Operations Gain Momentum
The large-scale joint operation is being conducted by the Jharkhand Police and West Bengal Police. On August 6, senior officials, including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Purulia Range, Abhishek Kumar, and Purulia Superintendent of Police (SP), Kumar Sunny Raj, visited the border areas to supervise the ongoing operations and boost troop morale.
Search operations have been carried out across multiple locations, including Dwarshini, Asanpani, Budhijhor, and Lukapani. West Bengal Police teams conducted extensive combing operations in these areas, while the Jharkhand Police, alongside elite COBRA battalions, conducted parallel operations in the forested zones and hilly terrains on their side of the border.
According to intelligence sources, the Maoist cadres have split into small groups and are hiding in the rugged hills between Dalma and Ghatshila. The group is reportedly avoiding fixed camps and frequently changing locations to evade security forces. While this tactic has increased the complexity of the search, officials remain confident of closing in on the group.
Strict Stance Along the State Border
Senior officials have emphasized that there will be no tolerance for any resurgence of Maoist activities in West Bengal. DIG Abhishek Kumar stated that all possible escape routes have been sealed, and security forces have established a tight perimeter around the operational zones.
During a visit to Asanpani, the last village on the West Bengal side bordering Jharkhand, the DIG and SP personally reviewed the search operations along the state highway connecting Galudih and Bandwan. Accompanied by other senior officers, including DSPs and local police station heads, they reiterated their firm stance against Maoist activities.
Officials have warned the remaining cadres to surrender immediately or face strict action. They emphasized that Mandal, who is a native of Bengal, will not be allowed to re-establish a foothold in the state. The coordinated operation is being conducted with the clear objective of completely dismantling the residual Maoist network in the region.
Three Hardcore Maoists Arrested in Seraikela-Kharsawan
In a related development, security forces in the Seraikela-Kharsawan district arrested three active Maoists carrying rewards on their heads. The arrests were made during a joint operation involving the district police, 203 CoBRA, CRPF, and the 26th Battalion of the SSB. According to Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiyari, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs indicating that Maoist operatives were planning a major attack in the Kandra and Chandil regions.
The accused were apprehended before they could execute their plans. Sagar Singh Sardar, who carries a Rs 15 lakh bounty, was first arrested from a village in the Kandra police station area. Based on his interrogation, security forces conducted further raids and apprehended Madan Mahato, who carries a Rs 5 lakh bounty, and Meena Pahariya, who carries a Rs 2 lakh bounty, near Kandarbheda in the Chandil region.
Large Cache of Weapons Recovered from Dalma Hills
Following the arrests, security forces launched an intensive search operation in the Dalma Hills based on information provided by the apprehended individuals. This operation led to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives hidden in the forested terrain.
The recovered items included:
- One AKM-47 rifle
- One INSAS rifle (previously looted from police)
- One 9mm pistol
- 361 rounds of AKM-47 ammunition
- Explosive codex wire and other materials
- A Motorola walkie-talkie
- A Pulsar motorcycle
Additional items such as torches, belts, and logistical materials were also seized. Officials confirmed that the recovered weapons were intended for use in a planned large-scale attack, which has now been thwarted.
Links to Past Attacks and Shift of Base
During interrogation, the arrested Maoists confessed to their involvement in past incidents, including the killing of five policemen at the Kukru weekly market in Tiruldih on June 14, 2019. During that attack, the insurgents looted weapons from the slain security personnel, some of which were recovered during this recent operation.
Investigations also revealed that the Maoist group was previously active in the Saranda region but was forced to relocate due to intensified pressure and continuous combing operations by security forces. The group shifted to the Dalma region in an attempt to reorganize and plan fresh attacks, but the coordinated efforts of the security forces disrupted their plans.
Security officials believe the Maoist organization in the region is now in its final phase. With only a handful of active cadres remaining and senior leaders like Asim Mandal under constant surveillance, authorities are aiming to make the region completely Naxal-free in the near future.
