SAA event in Bihar, Begusarai District area, India on Wed 31st December 2025

A wanted Communist Party of India–Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre, identified as Dayanand Malakar alias Chotu, the ‘secretary’ of the north Bihar Central Zonal Committee of the CPI-Maoist, and carrying a reward of INR 50,000 on his head, was killed in an encounter with Security Force (SF) personnel in Begusarai District of Bihar on December 31, reports The Hindu. Following the encounter, two of his associates were arrested, and their identities are being ascertained. According to a statement issued by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Bihar Police, “Malakar alias Chotu, a Naxal who was wanted by the Police in more than 14 criminal cases, died following an encounter with a joint team of the STF and District Police in the Teghra area of Begusarai on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) evening. Acting on a tip-off, security personnel reached the spot where Malakar was hiding along with his associates. After noticing the police personnel, Malakar tried to escape and fired at the police. Security personnel retaliated in self-defence. The Naxal was injured in the encounter, and two of his accomplices were arrested.” No SF personnel were injured in the encounter, the statement said. Police also recovered one 5.56 mm INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) assault rifle, a country-made pistol, 25 live cartridges, and 15 spent cartridges from the spot