An encounter broke out between security forces and Maoists in the Saranda forest area of West Singhbhum district on Wednesday, leaving a CoBRA jawan injured and triggering an intensified search operation in the region.
According to police sources, the exchange of fire began when teams engaged in a search operation came under fire from Maoist cadres. Security personnel retaliated, leading to intermittent gunfire in the dense forest terrain.
Personnel from the CoBRA battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force, Jharkhand Jaguar and the district police are involved in the joint operation.
Officials said the injured CoBRA jawan is being prepared for air evacuation.
Sources indicated that the encounter may involve cadres linked to Maoist leader Misir Besra, a senior functionary of the CPI (Maoist) active in the Jharkhand-Odisha region.
Security agencies have long identified Besra as a key operational figure in the Saranda belt, with influence over Maoist activities across parts of Jharkhand and adjoining areas. His presence in the region has been linked to efforts to regroup and sustain insurgent operations in forested zones.
The current operation is part of a broader campaign to track remaining Maoist elements in Saranda, once considered a stronghold of Left-wing extremism.
Search operations are continuing, with additional forces deployed. There were unconfirmed reports of Maoist casualties, though no bodies have been recovered so far.
Authorities have not disclosed further operational details.