Security Forces Neutralize Four Naxals in Jharkhand; AK-47s Recovered

A fierce gunbattle in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, resulted in the death of four armed Naxals on Friday morning. The operation was led by a joint task force consisting of the 203rd CoBRA Battalion and Hazaribagh District Police. Based on a tip-off regarding the movement of a Maoist squad, the forces launched a targeted sweep in the Keredari block. The slain rebels included a top leader with a 15-lakh reward on his head, Shahdev Mahato, along with a female operative named Natasha and two area commanders, Budhan Karmali and Ranjit Ganjhu. Security personnel recovered high-caliber weaponry from the site, and a combing operation is currently underway to ensure the area is secure.