New Delhi, Sep 24
Three Maoists linked to the banned outfit Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) were gunned down in an encounter with police and security forces on Wednesday morning in Jharkhand.
The encounter took place in the dense forests of Kechki under the Bishunpur police station limits in Gumla district.
According to police officials, the three slain men have been identified as Lalu Lohra, Chhotu Oraon, and Sujeet Oraon. Both Lalu Lohra and Chhotu Oraon were sub-zonal commanders of JJMP and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads. The third, Sujeet Oraon, was an active cadre of the same group. Lohra was a resident of Lohardaga district, while Chhotu hailed from Latehar and Sujeet from Lohardaga.
Gumla Police confirmed the recovery of sophisticated weapons from the encounter site, including an AK-47 rifle, which was found in the possession of Lalu Lohra. Multiple other firearms and ammunition were also recovered from the trio.
A search and combing operation is currently underway in the surrounding forest areas to ensure no other insurgents are hiding nearby.