Patna: The Bihar Special Task Force (STF) recorded 19 encounters and arrested 1,716 Naxalites and criminals between January 1 and August 16, 2026, STF DIG Sanjay Kumar Singh said at a press conference at Bihar Police Headquarters on Friday.
The figures were presented as part of the STF’s operational review for the year so far, covering action against organised crime, Naxal groups, illegal arms networks, drug trafficking, robbery gangs and other serious offences.
Singh also clarified that the death of Bharat Tiwari has not been included in the STF’s official list of encounters at this stage. He said the case remains under investigation, while a judicial inquiry commission is also examining the incident.
Bharat Tiwari Case Under Investigation
Responding to a question about whether the Bharat Tiwari incident had been recorded as an STF encounter, Singh said the investigation was still in progress.
He said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being examined and that it would be inappropriate to reach an official conclusion before the investigation is completed.
The DIG also pointed to the ongoing judicial inquiry. The final classification of the incident, he said, would depend on the findings of the investigations.
19 Encounters, 1,716 Arrests
According to the figures presented by the STF, three criminals carrying cash rewards were killed and 18 criminals were injured in 19 encounters during the period under review.
The STF arrested 1,716 Naxalites and other criminals, including 63 wanted criminals carrying government-declared rewards.
The force also arrested 165 criminals and Naxalites categorised among the Top-10 and Top-20 wanted lists.
In interstate operations, 27 Bihar-based criminals were arrested outside the state, while 55 criminals wanted in other states were apprehended in Bihar.
The STF also arrested 38 Naxalites during the period. Two reward-carrying Naxalites or criminals surrendered and returned to the mainstream. They were Suresh Koda alias Mustakim, carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh, and Deepak Pandey, carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh.
Arms Cell Busts 33 Mini-Gun Factories
The STF’s Arms Cell arrested 112 people accused of arms smuggling and illegal weapons manufacturing.
Officials said the cell recovered 18 modern and prohibited weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, one AK-56, two INSAS rifles, one carbine, five semi-automatic pistols, one Glock pistol and other firearms.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of 398 finished and 178 semi-finished country-made weapons, along with 3,195 live cartridges, 135 magazines and 168 empty cartridges.
The STF said 33 illegal mini-gun factories were dismantled across the state. Machinery and materials recovered included 110 semi-finished pistols, five semi-finished country-made pistols, six lathe machines, 22 drill machines, five milling machines, 12 grinder machines, two welding machines, 41 base machines and 51 barrels.
Major raids were conducted in areas of Nalanda, Khagaria, Munger, Bhagalpur, Saran and Banka.
In Khagaria’s Mansi area, an illegal weapons manufacturing unit operating in a riverine area along the Gandak was also dismantled, with country-made pistols, machinery and gun barrels recovered, officials said.
Action Against Naxal And PLFI Networks
The STF reported continued operations against Naxal groups and other extremist networks.
In Nawada, STF personnel arrested alleged active members of the banned People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a .315-bore rifle, cartridges and magazines.
The STF said it was also monitoring smaller violent Naxal splinter groups, including TSPC, PLFI and JJMP.
Officials said a plan was being prepared for the withdrawal of 24 Central Armed Police Force camps after restoration of peace and normalcy in the areas concerned.
113 Arrested In Bank, Jewellery Robbery Cases
The Anti-Bank, Jewellery and Gold Loan Robbery Wing arrested 113 alleged members of organised robbery gangs.
Recoveries included 8.840kg of gold, 44.047kg of silver, Rs 11.97 lakh in cash, 26 country-made pistols, 71 live cartridges and 440 grams of heroin.
The STF said the wing handled cases involving organised gangs operating within Bihar as well as across state borders.
Narcotics Cell Seizes More Than 2,188kg Of Drugs
The STF’s Narcotics Cell arrested 163 alleged drug traffickers involved in interstate networks.
Officials reported the seizure of 2,188kg and 654 grams of narcotic substances. The haul included 5.724kg of heroin or smack, 13.430kg of opium, 11.5kg of charas or hashish, 2,062kg of ganja and 96kg of doda.
The STF also seized Rs 1,98,850 in Indian currency and Rs 25.5 lakh in Nepalese currency from alleged smugglers.
Across Bihar Police operations during the period, officials reported seizures of 3,059kg 594 grams of ganja, 20.041kg of opium, 518kg 510 grams of doda, 6.038kg of heroin, 768 grams of Kota, 3.667kg of smack and 17.899kg of charas.
Cybercrime, Kidnapping And Contract Killing Cases
The Kodha Gang Cell arrested 38 accused and identified 97 criminals while resolving 51 cases, officials said. Recoveries included 197.1 grams of gold, 150 grams of silver and Rs 76.20 lakh in cash.
The Contract Killer Surveillance Cell arrested 30 alleged contract killers. Four weapons, 30 live cartridges, two spent casings, 250 grams of charas, 100 packets of smack, four mobile phones and two vehicles were recovered.
The STF said the cell also arrested alleged contract killer Kyaus Khan in Patna on February 16.
The Cyber Crime Cell solved 19 cases involving ATM fraud and financial forgery. The cases included ATM fraud, bank loan fraud, blackmail using fake social media profiles, WhatsApp account hacking and alleged sale of private data through APIs.
The Kidnapping Recovery Cell, working with district police teams, recovered 10 kidnapped people from Patna, Nalanda, Jamui, Munger, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Samastipur and Kishanganj districts.
94 Serious Crimes Prevented
The STF, working with district-level District Intelligence Units and Technical Cells, said it helped prevent 94 serious crimes before they could take place.
These included 40 alleged murder attempts, 48 robbery or dacoity cases and six other serious offences.
The highest monthly figure was recorded in May, when 22 serious crimes were reportedly prevented. The STF reported 12 such cases in January, 11 in February, 10 in March, 12 in April, 11 in June, 13 in July and three up to August 16.
Drone Surveillance Expanded
The STF said its Drone Cell has been used in Naxal-affected areas as well as difficult-to-access hilly and riverine regions.
Digital aerial surveys covered 423.3km across nine sensitive districts, according to the figures presented at the briefing.
Officials said drone mapping helped identify and destroy 99.86 acres of illegal opium cultivation and map the locations of 45 alleged hideouts of wanted criminals.
Drone surveillance has also been strengthened along the India-Nepal border in districts including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, West Champaran and East Champaran.
Monitoring Naxal Funding
The STF said it was monitoring suspected financial networks linked to Naxal activity, including government contracts, brick kilns, opium cultivation, mining and the tendu leaf trade.
Officials also said proposals had been made to the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in cases involving suspected illicit financial networks.
1,779 Police Personnel Trained
The STF conducted specialised training for 1,779 police personnel during the period.
Of these, 1,428 personnel were trained through the STF’s internal training wing, while 351 officers were sent outside Bihar for advanced operational training.
The STF said the training was aimed at improving operational capabilities across the police force.
Two STF Constables Die On Duty
Two STF constables died during the period covered by the report.
Constable Shriram Yadav was killed on March 17 while responding to gunfire from the Kundan Thakur gang during an encounter in Sihaswa under Chakia police station in East Champaran.
Constable Dheeraj Kumar died on June 25 after a service revolver accidentally discharged during an operation to cordon off criminals in Jehanabad’s Ghosi police station area. He sustained a gunshot injury and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
