UP ATS Kills Naxal Commander with Rs 30 Lakh Bounty in Varanasi
In a dawn operation in Varanasi, the Uttar Pradesh Anti‑Terrorist Squad neutralised Brijesh Ganjhu, a Naxal commander with a Rs 30 lakh bounty.
Background
Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh, hailed from Jharkhand’s Chatra district and led the Third Presentation Committee, a splinter faction of the CPI (Maoist).
Encounter Details
The squad entered the Ramnagar area early Sunday morning, locating Ganjhu who had been on the radar of both the state police and the National Investigation Agency for years. After a brief exchange, the commander was shot dead.
Aftermath and Impact
The kill is a significant win for the UP ATS as it curtails Naxal influence in the region. Authorities in Jharkhand have been coordinating with UP forces, and the operation was reported to the state government. The incident follows a series of recent eliminations of top Naxal leaders across India.