Seraikela-Kharsawan, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Security forces have foiled an alleged Maoist conspiracy in the Dalma forest region of Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district with the arrest of three wanted CPI (Maoist) members and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition and communication equipment.
According to police, the Maoist group was attempting to revive its organisational network in the Dalma hills after sustained security operations weakened its presence in the Saranda forest region. Investigators alleged that the outfit was planning a major attack as part of its efforts to re-establish its influence in the area.
Addressing a press conference, Seraikela-Kharsawan Superintendent of Police Manoj Swargiyari said the breakthrough came during a joint operation involving the district police, the 203 CoBRA Battalion, the 134th Battalion of the CRPF and the 26th Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The operation was launched after intelligence inputs received on August 4 indicated that active Maoists were hiding in Udaipur village under the Kandra police station limits.
During the raid, security personnel arrested Ravi Singh Sardar alias Sagar Singh, a CPI (Maoist) sub-zonal committee member, who was allegedly carrying a loaded AKM-47 rifle, ammunition and a walkie-talkie.
Based on information obtained during interrogation, the forces subsequently arrested regional committee member Madan Mahato, who carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh, and sub-zonal commander Meena Paharia alias Nepu Paharia, who had a reward of Rs 2 lakh. Police said Meena Paharia is the wife of Ravi Singh Sardar.
The operation also led to the seizure of an INSAS rifle allegedly looted from police personnel, a large quantity of live AKM-47 ammunition, a 9 mm pistol, magazines, walkie-talkies, codex wire, a motorcycle and other materials.
According to police, the arrested Maoists disclosed during questioning that they had earlier operated in the Dalma region and that the organisation had decided to shift its focus back to the area following intensified security action in Saranda.
Police also claimed that the trio admitted involvement in several past Maoist incidents in the Dalma belt, including the killing of policemen at Kukru and the looting of weapons. These claims are part of the ongoing investigation and have not been independently verified.
The SP described the operation as a significant success, stating that it not only led to the arrest of key Maoist operatives but also exposed the outfit’s latest strategy to rebuild its network in the region.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Criminal Law Amendment Act and the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation is in progress.
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