Gumla, Jharkhand: Three Maoists affiliated with the banned group Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) were killed in a security forces encounter on Wednesday morning in the dense forests of Kechki under the jurisdiction of Bishunpur police station.

The slain were identified as Lalu Lohra, Chhotu Oraon, and Sujeet Oraon. Lalu Lohra and Chhotu Oraon, both sub-zonal commanders of JJMP, carried bounties of Rs 5 lakh each, while Sujeet Oraon was an active cadre. Lohra and Sujeet hailed from Lohardaga district, and Chhotu from Latehar.

Police recovered several sophisticated firearms at the site, including an AK-47 from Lalu Lohra, along with other rifles and ammunition. A combing operation is ongoing in the surrounding forest areas to ensure no other insurgents remain hidden.

This marks the fourth major anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand this month, bringing the total Naxal casualties in September to eight. Previously, on September 15, three top Maoists—Sahdev Soren alias Pravesh (Rs 1 crore bounty), Raghunath Hembram (Rs 25 lakh), and Veer Sen Ganjhu (Rs 10 lakh)—were killed in Hazaribagh.

On September 14, Mukhdev Yadav (Rs 5 lakh bounty) was neutralised in Palamu, and on September 7, Amit Hansda alias Upton (Rs 10 lakh bounty) was killed in West Singhbhum.

According to Jharkhand Police, 32 Maoists have been killed in operations so far in 2025, with an average of three Naxals neutralised per month. Approximately 100–150 Maoists remain active in the state.

Police records list 13 top Maoists on the most-wanted list, including Misir Besra, Patiram Manjhi, and Aseem Mandal, each carrying Rs 1 crore bounties, alongside Anmol, Mochhu, Ajay Mahato, Agen Angaria, Ashwin, Pintu Lohra, Chandan Lohra, Jaykant, and Rapa Munda.

The largest anti-Naxal encounter of the year occurred on April 21, when eight Maoists, including Rs 1 crore bounty leader Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, were killed in Luggu Pahad, Bokaro district.

In coordination with central paramilitary forces, Jharkhand Police continue a long-term campaign aimed at making the state Naxal-free by March 2026.