In a bid to curb the terror unleashed by the Maoists in the dense forests, the security forces on Tuesday launched a combing operation following a fierce encounter with banned ultras of CPI (Maoists) on Monday late evening.
An exchange of fire took place between ultras and paramilitary forces at Siumari jungle under Sonua police station area in West Singhbhum district, about 140 Kms away, flowing, which the forces embarked on a drive.
Though the encounter continued for about an hour, no casualty was reported from the CRPF’s side, but the paramilitary authority were not sure whether there was any casualty on the Maoist’s side
or not. The West Singhbhum superintendent of police NK Singh said that the encounter took place while the para-military forces were returning after conducting a long-range patrolling at the rebel-infested Sonua block.
The SP pointed out that the paramilitary forces fired as many as 40 rounds of fire, where as the rebels had fired about 30 shots. He said the paramilitary forces continued to fire unless the rebels did not stop and move away from the jungle. The superintendent of police informed that the police and para-military forces have today started an extensive combing operation in the forest covers of Sonua. He said that having inspected the spot they found nothing else than empty cartridges of 315 and semi-automatic rifles.
According to police, five companies of CRPF jawans have been involved in conducting the combing operation in Sonua since Tuesday morning with the SP, West Singhbhum personally monitoring the exercise.
Remarkably, the West Singhbhum administration revised its security measures after district vigilance department reported possible intruding of the rebels into the district.
In the last few days anti insurgency operation in the West Singhbhum has been intensified following intelligence reports that suggest rebels are camping in the pockets. The administration has increased police patrolling on the bordering areas connecting to West Bengal and has also deployed adequate number of paramilitary personnel on areas potential to rebels attack.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources maintained that the naxals have once again started influencing the local residents to come to the fold of the naxalism,” said a senior intelligence officer. He said the rebels are targeting areas in Sonua, Goelkera and Porahat region of West Singhbhum.
The intelligence sources also maintain that most of the Maoists who were in Saranda forest have shifted to the adjoining Sundergarh district in Odisha and several others hid themselves at the villages in Saranda in the guise of cultivators.