Jharkhand: Security forces gun down 4 PLFI ultras in Khunti

Security forces gunned down four People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) ultras including an area commander in Jharkhand’s leftwing extremist dominated district Khunti on Tuesday late night. Jharkhand Police chief has announced to award Rs 4 lakhs to the security personnel who participated in the encounter.

Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) talking to News Nation said, “In a joint operation carried out by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police in Khunti’s Karra police station area four PLFI cadres were gunned down.”

Khunti Superintendent of Police Ashwini Kumar said, “A joint operation was launched on Tuesday late evening on intelligence inputs.”

Police have recovered an INSAS rifle, two country made rifles, a pistol, dozen of mobile phones and several rounds of bullet from the encounter site.

He added that the Khunti police had received information that PLFI area commander along with his troop was camping in a forested area under Karra police station. “PLFI cadres opened fire on security forces as our team approached them. Taking position our jawans retaliated.”

The Khunti SP told the media that DGP has announced to recommend police personnel participating in the encounter for gallantry award. A constable rank police personnel will be awarded Rs 5000, sub-inspector rank and inspector rank officer will be awarded with Rs 6000 and Rs 7000 respectively.

खूंटी (31/10/2017): एनकाउंटर में इनामी मैना गोप उर्फ विवेक गोप सहित चार उग्रवादी मारा गया pic.twitter.com/2zRph7ZWaK

— Jharkhand Police (@JharkhandPolice) November 1, 2017

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A Jharkhand Police officer, who was part of the encounter team, said, “More than 100 rounds were fired by the PLFI rebels.” The four killed PLFI rebels have been identified as area commander Maina Gope, Pancham Oraon, Ajit Horo and Vijay Aind.

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PLFI is a breakaway faction of CPI-Maoist and is active in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The PLFI is in a fratricidal war with the CPI-Maoist.

(With inputs from Rajnish Sinha)