SAA event in Jharkhand, Saranda Forest, West Singhbhum District area, India on Thu 30th April 2026

On April 30, a cadre of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) was killed in an encounter with Security Forces (SFs) in the Saranda Forest area of West Singhbhum District in Jharkhand, reports The Times of India. The deceased was identified as Amrit alias Israel Purti, a Central Technical Committee member carrying a bounty of INR 100,000, associated with the Ajay Mahato squad. According to Police, SFs comprising the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), and District Police launched a combing operation in the Rutugutu, Borai and Tunbera areas following intelligence inputs on the movement of senior Maoist leader Misir Besra. During the operation, SFs came under fire, triggering an exchange of fire, in which Amrit was killed. No SF casualties were reported. Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Renu stated that intermittent firing continued through the day and the operation remained ongoing, with additional forces deployed to cordon off the area. Amrit, a resident of Sangajata village under Goilkera Police Station limits, was involved in assembling rockets, repairing weapons, and manufacturing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The encounter comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations in Saranda forests, where around 50 cadres are reportedly active under the guidance of Politburo member Misir Besra. Earlier, SATP only reported about the encounter.