Three members of the banned Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the forested area near Lava Dag under Ghaghra police station limits in Gumla district on Saturday morning.
According to the police, Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zama had received intelligence on 25 July regarding the presence of JJMP cadres in the region. The group was reportedly moving through the hilly terrain, allegedly with the intention of executing an attack.
Following the input, a joint operation team comprising personnel from the Gumla district police and Jharkhand Jaguar was formed under the leadership of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Gumla.
In the early hours of 26 July, the team came under fire during a search operation. The police returned fire in what they described as an act of self-defence.
Three JJMP operatives were killed in the encounter. One of the deceased has been identified as Dilip Lohra, who, according to police, held the rank of sub-zonal commander within the outfit. The identities of the other two are yet to be confirmed.
The security forces recovered one AK-47 rifle and two INSAS rifles from the site. An SLR and a quantity of ammunition were also seized. A search operation is underway in the surrounding areas.
The police said the operation involved personnel from Ghaghra, Bishunpur and Gumla police stations along with Jharkhand Jaguar. The district police said further verification and follow-up action are in progress.