Jharkhand: Two policemen killed in gunfight with suspected Maoists in Palamu

Two policemen were killed and a member of the security forces was critically injured in a gunfight with suspected members of a splinter group of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), in Jharkhand’s Palamu district on Thursday, The Indian Express reported.

The gunfight broke out between security forces and the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee around 12.30 am in Kedal village under the Manatu police station area, PTI quoted the police as saying.

The operation was part of a planned action against Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee commander Shashikant Ganjhu, who carries a bounty of Rs 10 lakh.

As the security personnel approached the area, the suspected Maoists allegedly opened fire, prompting retaliatory action from the police.

The policemen who died were identified as Santan Kumar Mehta and Sunil Ram. A member of the security forces, Rohit Kumar, sustained bullet injuries in the operation, The Indian Express reported.

Kumar was taken to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Daltonganj where he underwent a surgery, Palamu Deputy Inspector General of Police Naushad Alam told PTI.

The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway.

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