Explosives recovered after encounter with naxals in Jharkhand

Security forces have recovered a huge cache of explosives following an encounter between security personnel and naxals in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand, police said.

The encounter took place yesterday night when a joint team launched a massive anti-naxal operation at Yuktidih, Bhadua, Pungoda and Chekam villages of Ghatsila sub-division.

The team was led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations), Pranav Anand Jha and Assistant Commandant of the 207 battalion of CoBRA, Ankush Chauhan.

When the security personnel reached a spot between Pungoda and Bhadua villages, the naxals opened fire at them, forcing the security personnel to retaliate, Jha said.

The encounter lasted for around two hours.

The naxals, however, managed to escape under the cover of forest, he said.

The security personnel launched search operation in the area during which they recovered under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), detonators, fuse wire, pistol, six rounds of live ammunition of 9 mm pistol, empty cartridges and bombs.