Jharkhand's top Maoist commander Brajesh Ganjhu killed in Varanasi encounter

Brajesh Ganjhu, the supreme commander of Jharkhand's banned Maoist organization Tritiya Sammelan Prastuty Committee (TSPC), was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad in the Ramnagar area of Varanasi district on Sunday morning. The encounter took place in the early hours of the day and resulted in the death of one of the most wanted insurgent leaders operating in the region.

Brajesh Ganjhu carried a substantial bounty on his head, with the Jharkhand government announcing a reward of 25 lakh rupees and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) declaring an additional reward of 5 lakh rupees for information leading to his capture. The combined reward amount thus stood at 30 lakh rupees, reflecting the severity of the crimes he was accused of and the priority given to his arrest by law enforcement agencies.

According to information received, the UP ATS had obtained intelligence that Brajesh Ganjhu would be passing through the Ramnagar area on a motorcycle. Acting on this tip-off, security forces set up a cordon near Lanka Maidan located at Tengra Mod. Around five o'clock on Sunday morning, when the suspect arrived at the spot, he was signaled to stop by the waiting security personnel.

According to police accounts, instead of complying with the order to halt, Brajesh Ganjhu opened fire on the security forces. In the retaliatory action that followed, he sustained gunshot injuries. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

During the exchange of fire, bullets also struck the bulletproof jackets of ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and Constable Nitendra Krishna. However, both officers escaped injury and are reported to be safe, their protective gear having successfully absorbed the impact of the rounds.

Brajesh Ganjhu faced numerous criminal cases registered against him in various police stations across Jharkhand. The charges included extortion, kidnapping, murder, attempt to murder, illegal possession of arms, criminal conspiracy, militant activities, and violations under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and CLA Act. Multiple criminal cases were pending against him in the Lawalaung, Tandwa, Simaria, Mayurhand, Phathlagarha, and other police station jurisdictions.

Security agencies are now investigating Brajesh Ganjhu's associates, his operational network, and his possible contacts in the Purvanchal region. Officials believe that the ongoing investigation may lead to the identification of other individuals linked to the organization. Further action in the matter continues as authorities work to dismantle the network he had built.