Top Naxal commander killed by security forces in Khunti forests

In a pre-dawn operation, security forces killed a prominent Naxal commander operating in Jharkhand in the forests of Khunti district of the state.

According to preliminary information reaching the headquarters here, the Naxal commander Vishal alias Tulsi alias Tadit, also the Special Committee member of CPI (Maoists) was gunned down by security forces in the jungles of village Limba-Sosokutti in the district.

Officials said the operation was led by PR Mishra, a five-time gallantry award winning officer of CRPF and at present Additional SP (Operations) of the district along with commandos of the elite CoBRA unit and district police.

A heavy exchange of fire took place between the two sides for close to an hour after which the Naxals retreated leading to the killing of the Maoist commander.

Security forces recovered an AK series rifle, 150 bullets, few magazines, a grenade and two mobile phones after the operation which ended at 4 am.

"This is an important hit against the Maoists by security forces. Additional reinforcements are on-spot to check other Naxals in the area," a senior official said.

An Assistant Commandant rank officer of the CoBRA unit has been shot under the eye in the operation and has been shifted to a hospital in the state capital, the official said.