SAA event in Jharkhand, Kedabir, West Singhbhum District area, India on Tue 19th May 2026

On May 19, an exchange of fire took place between Security Forces (SFs) and Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres in the Porahat Forest area near Kedabir village under Sonua Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand, reports The New Indian Express. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Renu, the encounter occurred during a combing and search operation jointly conducted by the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) 209 Battalion and Jharkhand Police in the Sonua and Goilkera Forest areas. Maoist cadres reportedly opened fire after spotting the approaching SF personnel, prompting retaliatory firing by the SFs. Police sources indicated that one or two Maoists may have sustained bullet injuries during the exchange, though no official confirmation was issued. No SF casualties were reported. Following the encounter, the Maoists retreated deeper into the forest, after which SFs launched intensive search operations in the area. Officials also stated that arms and daily-use materials were recovered from the encounter site. Police disclosed that a few Maoist cadres, including senior leader Misir Besra, who carries a reward of INR 10 million, continue to operate in the Saranda and Kolhan Forest regions using mobile camps protected by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and spike-hole networks.