Ranchi, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior CPI (Maoist) leader Asim Mandal alias Akash, a member of the outfit’s Central Committee and carrying a combined bounty of Rs 2.20 crore in Jharkhand and Odisha, has surrendered in West Bengal, officials said on Thursday.
Jharkhand had announced a reward of Rs 1 crore for information leading to his arrest, while Odisha had placed a bounty of Rs 1.20 crore on him.
Mandal had been active in Maoist operations across Jharkhand’s Kolhan and Saranda regions for several years. Jharkhand Police officials confirmed his surrender.
A native of Uttar Phulchuk village under Chandrakona police station in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, Mandal was known within the Maoist organisation by several aliases, including Akash, Timir, Manoj, Deepak and Rakesh.
According to security agencies’ records, nearly 55 serious criminal cases are registered against him across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Several cases relate to attacks on security forces and armed encounters in Jharkhand.
Among the incidents linked to him is the March 1, 2026 encounter at Marangponga in the Chotanagra police station area of Chaibasa, in which two security personnel, including an Assistant Commandant of the 209 CoBRA battalion, were injured.
On April 12, 2025, a Jharkhand Jaguar personnel was killed during an encounter at Radhapora under Jaraikela police station limits in Chaibasa.
Earlier, on January 11, 2023, nine personnel of the 209 CoBRA battalion were injured in an IED blast followed by an exchange of fire in the Tumbahaka forest under Tonto police station.
A security personnel was also killed in an attack at Jonwa under Karaikela police station on May 31, 2020, while another was killed during an encounter at Jhati Pahari in East Singhbhum district’s MGM police station area on July 11, 2018.
Following his surrender, security agencies are questioning Mandal to gather information about the Maoist network, hideouts and weapons stockpiles.
Officials said the information obtained from him could assist security agencies in locating concealed arms, ammunition and explosives dumps in the Saranda forests and adjoining areas.
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