Image used for representative purpose only.
| Photo Credit: V.V. KRISHNAN

Two dreaded maoists including Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) supremo Pappu Lohra killed during the exchange of fire with the security forces in Latehar district of Jharkhand on Saturday (May 24, 2025).

Lohra was carrying the reward of ₹ 10 lakh whereas another maoist who was killed Prabhat Ghanju carried the reward of ₹ 5 lakh.

While speaking to The Hindu, Jharkhand police spokesperson and IG (Operation) Amol V Homkar said, “There was an input in Latehar police station about JJMP movement by a team led by their supremo Pappu Lohra and others. Latehar SP [Superintendent of Police] Kumar Gaurav planned an operation along with the local Jharkhand police team.”

He further said, ”When the team was searching the jungle patch, the JJMP team started firing, and the police retaliated. The area was searched after exchange of fire was over and two bodies and one injured person were recovered from the place of occurrence along with an INSAS rifle and other material.”

Asked about the reward the Maoists were carrying, Mr. Homkar said, “From initial identification and sources, they have been identified as supremo of JJMP Pappu Lohra, who was carrying a reward of ₹10 lakh and one Prabhat Ghanju, who was the sub-zonal commander carrying the reward of ₹5 lakh. One cadre member has been arrested, who has a bullet injury and was shifted to hospital for the medical treatment. One of our jawans also got hit by a bullet and was evacuated. He has been shifted to Ranchi for the treatment in the hospital.”

The exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoists took place early morning on Saturday and search operations are still being carried out in the area.

Mr. Homkar asserted that the entire operation was carried out under the guidance of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta.

Published – May 24, 2025 10:50 am IST