Overview
- Security agencies confirmed the death of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Patiram Manjhi, alias Anal Da, as bodies recovered rose to at least 17, with some reports citing up to 19.
- Police and CRPF units recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition after the multi-hour firefight near Kumbhdih in the Saranda forests of West Singhbhum.
- Authorities said five women were among the dead, and several other slain cadres carried significant rewards across Jharkhand and Odisha.
- The joint action, referred to as Operation Medha/Meghaburu, involved around 1,500 personnel from CRPF’s CoBRA 209 Battalion, Jharkhand Jaguar and state police, with drones and air support deployed.
- Leaders framed the strike as a decisive step toward the Centre’s March 2026 target to end Left-Wing Extremism, as forces continue area domination, IED clearing and identification of remains.