11 bunkers linked to most wanted Maoist Misir Besra destroyed in Jharkhand's Saranda

In a major operation, security forces on Tuesday destroyed 11 underground bunkers believed to be used by top Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a reward of ₹1 crore. They also defused seven powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the dense Saranda forests of Chaibasa.

Police said the bunkers were specially built for Besra and his team. “Proper arrangements were made for the stay of top Maoist leader, Misir Besra and his squad,” a police officer stated.

The bunkers were of different sizes—25x35 feet, 20x25 feet, and 15x20 feet—indicating a well-planned setup. Security forces also found six Maoist dumps at the site. Items recovered included a printer, two batteries, cartridges, a lathe machine, 18 pipes, 15 metres of wire, and various daily-use items.

During a thorough search in the forest villages of Luiya and Bakrabera, under Tonto police station, seven IEDs were recovered. Five were found on Monday, and two more on Tuesday.

“One of the IEDs weighed 15 kg, two were 10 kg each, one was 5 kg, and two were 4 kg. For safety, the bomb disposal team defused them on the spot,” said a statement from the police headquarters.

Earlier, on Thursday, security personnel had demolished five more Maoist bunkers in the Kalpaburu forests under Jaraikela police station, also in Chaibasa. It is suspected that CPI (Maoist) members used those bunkers after conducting attacks.

Before that, on April 5, security forces discovered and destroyed 16 more Maoist bunkers. According to the Superintendent of Police, Chaibasa, each of these could hold 40 to 50 Maoist members, showing the large presence of insurgents in the area.

This action is part of an ongoing operation to weaken Maoist support systems and prevent future attacks. Police are maintaining high alert and are closely watching the area for any signs of senior Maoist movement.

Currently, Maoist activity in Jharkhand is mostly limited to the Saranda forests, as they have been cleared from most other parts of the state. Police believe that around 85 to 90 Maoists are hiding in the Saranda region, which is heavily laced with IEDs, making it difficult for security forces.

A joint operation in the Kolhan and Saranda forests of Chaibasa began in November 2022, after intelligence reports pointed to the presence of senior Maoist leaders, including Misir Besra. The operation is being carried out by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Police.