Aurangabad: Police in Bihar’s Aurangabad district have arrested a long-absconding Maoist militant, bringing an end to a 28-year manhunt. The suspect, identified as Kameshwar Yadav of Bela Barish village in Goh block, was detained following a targeted raid carried out by Bandeya police based on confidential intelligence.
Daudnagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kumar Rishi Raj announced the arrest at a press briefing on Saturday. Yadav had been evading authorities since 1999, when he was charged under the Criminal Law Amendment Act for offences related to disturbing public order. A permanent warrant was issued against him three years later, but efforts to apprehend him repeatedly failed—until now. “Despite multiple attempts, Yadav managed to slip through our net time and again. This time, we acted on precise information, leading to his arrest,” said the SDPO.
The arrest forms part of an ongoing campaign ordered by Superintendent of Police Ambareesh Rahul to make the region both crime-free and Naxal-free. Over the past week, police have intensified raids and search operations, particularly in forested areas known to harbour extremist elements. Security forces have also recovered and destroyed improvised explosive devices and other materials used by the insurgents. Yadav has been remanded in custody following interrogation. Authorities affirmed that operations will continue until Naxalite activity in the region is fully dismantled.
