In a fierce encounter between Hazaribagh police and TPC ultras near Saraiya village of Padma police station area which took place on Thursday night, two ultras were killed and an AK 47, an Insas rifle and more than 200 live cartridges were recovered. Though the identity of ultras whose body has been recovered has not yet been revealed by the police, sources said that both are commander ranked ultras of the organization. They said that during the encounter some ultras got bullet injuries but their fellows succeeded in taking them away with them.
Sharing this information DIG North Chotanagpur Range Bheem Sen Tuti and SP Hazaribagh Anoop Birthare said that they had got information about the activity of ultras of banned outfit in Padma PS area of the district. The ultras were demanding levy from the stone crusher unit owners of the area.
A team was formed under the leadership of Hazaribagh SP Anoop Birthare which started the combing operation. In the night the police team and group of ultras came close to each other near Doni Kala village of Saraiya panchayat. As the police team ordered them to stop the ultras opened fire on the team. In retaliation police team also opened fire on the group, the encounter went on till early morning. In early morning the ultras escaped from the spot taking advantage of the darkness and forests of the area, police said.
When the police team moved ahead it found two dead bodies lying on the ground having AK 47, Insas rifle in their sides. About 200 live cartridges were recovered from both dead bodies. The bodies have yet not been identified but the recovery of AK 47 and Insas rifle is a clear cut hint that both are of commander rank because lower ranked ultras are not given such weapons by any naxal organization.
DIG Tuti confirmed this probability and informed that DGP DK Pandey has praised the team members involved in this encounter and has announced Rs 2,00,000 as prize to Hazaribagh police and Rs 5,000 extra prize for every member involved in this encounter besides certificate and other benefits. DIG confirmed that the police team is safe no one has got any injury during this operation from our side.