JH-LD NAXAL

A wanted naxalite,

carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh, was killed by security forces

in an encounter in Jharkhand's Dumka district on Sunday,

police said.

Shahdeo Rai alias Talada was killed in an encounter in

the jungles of Shikaripara in Dumka. He was the prime accused

in the killing of the then Superintendent of Police, Pakur

district, Amarjeet Balihar, in July 2013, Superintendent of

Police, Y S Ramesh said.

Based on inputs that naxals have taken shelter in

Chatupara and planning to extort money, the District Armed

Police and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) battalion launched

anti-naxal operation since Saturday night.

The Maoists started firing at the approaching security

personnel at around 7 am today forcing retaliation, Ramesh

said.

Talada, who was wanted in around 50 naxal-related

cases in Santhal Paragana, was killed in the cross firing. An

AK-47 rifle and an INSAS rifle, large quantity of ammunition

and magzines among other items were recovered from the spot,

he said.

Ramesh said over 500 rounds were fired from both sides

during the encounter in which armed women naxals were also

present.

The area has been sealed and a massive search

operation launched to track down the rebels, some of whom

sustained bullet injuries but managed to escape, he claimed.

Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service to

apprehend the Maoists.

In July 2013, the then Pakur district SP Amarjeet

Balihar, who was known for his tough stand against Left-wing

extremism, was killed along with five policemen in an ambush

carried out by the Maoists under Kathikund police station in

Dumka district bordering Pakur.

Balihar was returning to Pakur after participating in

a meeting in Dumka when the Maoists had opened fire and hurled

bombs at the convoy of the 45-year-old police officer.