Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) gunned down wanted Naxal commander of the banned Jharkhand-based extremist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta in an encounter.
The encounter took place in the Lanka Maidan area under Ramnagar police station in Varanasi, along the route connecting Tengra Mor, Ramnagar and Mughalsarai. UP ATS had received confidential information that Ganjhu was traveling towards Mughalsarai on a motorcycle with an associate.
ATS Intercepts Motorcycle
Acting on the information, ATS team, accompanied by local police, intercepted the motorcycle and attempted to arrest Ganjhu. According to police, he did not surrender and instead got off the motorcycle and opened fire at the security personnel.
The ATS team retaliated, leading to an exchange of fire in which Ganjhu sustained bullet injuries. According to the police bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of UP ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and head constable Nitendra Krishna.
Both policemen were protected by their bulletproof gear and were reported to be safe. Ganjhu was taken to a hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said.
Rs 30 Lakh Reward Announced
Ganjhu, a resident of Lutu village under Lawalong police station in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, had been identified as a commander of the banned TPC.
A total reward of Rs 30 lakh had been announced for information leading to his arrest. The Jharkhand government had announced Rs 25 lakh, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had offered Rs 5 lakh.
The TPC is a breakaway extremist outfit associated with the Maoist insurgency in Jharkhand. Ganjhu had been wanted by security agencies in cases linked to the organization. Reports say he was involved in extortion and other criminal activities in the Chatra region.
Ganjhu’s Associate Escapes
According to preliminary reports, Ganjhu's associate managed to flee during the exchange of fire. Security personnel secured the encounter site and began collecting evidence.
An investigation is underway to establish Ganjhu's activities and movements in Varanasi, as well as the identity and whereabouts of his associate.