Wanted naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta
Both policemen were protected by their bulletproof gear and were reported to be safe.
LUCKNOW: Wanted commander of the banned Jharkhand-based extremist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Varanasi early Sunday morning, police said. The UP ATS received confidential information that Ganjhu was travelling towards Mughalsarai on a motorcycle with an associate, according to police. Police said Ganjhu did not surrender and instead got off the motorcycle and opened fire at the security personnel. During the exchange, bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of UP ATS deputy superintendent of police Vipin Rai and head constable Nitendra Krishna, police said. Ganjhu was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said.
The encounter took place in the Lanka Maidan area under Ramnagar police station, along the route connecting Tengra Mor, Ramnagar and Mughalsarai. Acting on the information, an ATS team, along with local police, intercepted the motorcycle and attempted to arrest him. The ATS team retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire in which Ganjhu sustained bullet injuries. Ganjhu, a resident of Lutu village under Lawalong police station in Chatra district, Jharkhand, was identified as a commander of the banned TPC.
Reward Offered for Information on Arrest
Authorities have announced a total reward of Rs 30 lakh for information leading to the arrest of a suspect. This includes Rs 25 lakh from the Jharkhand government and an additional Rs 5 lakh from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The initiative aims to expedite the capture of the individual in question, emphasizing the collaboration between state and national agencies in addressing this matter.