Banka / Patna : A Maoist carrying a bounty of Rs1 lakh was shot dead during an encounter with security forces in Banka district on Monday evening. The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Tudu, also known as Tentua, aged 35, son of Matru Tudu, and a resident of Budhighat village under Damodara Panchayat in the Katoria police station area.
The encounter took place in the dense Kalothar forest, where Tudu was believed to be hiding with several other members of his group. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Bihar Police and the Special Task Force (STF) launched a search operation in the area.
According to police officials, Maoists opened fire on the approaching forces, prompting retaliatory action. The gunfight lasted for approximately two hours, between 7pm and 9pm. Tudu was shot in the head and chest during the exchange and was later taken to the Katoria referral hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Officials said that between five and six Maoists were present in the forest at the time, but the rest of the group managed to flee the scene.
Speaking to reporters, Katoria police station in-charge confirmed that 11 criminal cases, including those related to robbery, murder, and attempted Maoist attacks, were registered against Tudu in neighbouring Jamui district. Authorities believe he had been planning a significant operation and had taken refuge in the Kalothar forest to evade arrest.
A loaded carbine and other materials were recovered from the encounter site.
Banka Superintendent of Police Upendranath Verma stated that the operation is ongoing. “An encounter broke out between Banka Police, STF, and a Maoist group in the Katoria area. After the exchange of fire ended, one Maoist, Ramesh Tudu, was found injured and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Further action is underway,” Verma said.
