Top Maoist commander killed in Jharkhand

RANCHI: A top Maoist commander Sylvester Minz, carrying a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, was killed early Saturday morning in an encounter with security forces at Dipatoli village under Chainpur police station in Gumla district, 100km from here, police claimed.

A key aide of Sylvester however was nabbed in the battleground after his boss was killed. Police recovered the AK-47 Sylvester reportedly carried along with one 315 rifle at the spot.

Police spokesperson and ADG (operations) S N Pradhan confirmed the development. Pradhan claimed Sylvester was secretary of Bihar Jharkhand North Chhatisgarh special area committee of the CPI Maoist.

"Sylvester and his team had come to the village to rest last night. The police got the wind of their arrival and a quick response team was formed to raid the location. A gunbattle ensued when the forces surrounded Dipatoli village and asked the Maoists to surrender," CRPF IG Jharkhand sector Rakesh Kumar Mishra said.

The police are however confused about the exact rank Sylvester held in CPI Maoist. A senior police officer said Sylvester was secretary of the powerful Koel Shankh zone of the CPI Maoist. The zone has its jurisdiction over Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga, Garhwa and Simdega districts, all in the northwest of Jharkhand.

The absence of Sylvester will have a big effect on the functioning and power of the Koel Shankh zone or Bihar Jharkhand North Chhatisgarh special area committee, two of most powerful Maoist organizations in Jharkhand.

Aged around 45, Sylvester was virtually a terror and police considered it too challenging to catch him. He had given the cops many slips in past which made Sylvester even more dreaded Maoist. He is involved in dozens of cases.

"In rainy season Maoists usually come to villages at night to take rest because the forest is inhospitable in the rainy season," a police officer said.

Gumla SP Bheemsen Tuti said the encounter took place between 5am to 6am. "Dozens of Maoists were present in the village when the encounter took place. Many of them escaped taking advantage of the hilly terrain when the police gained an upper hand in the encounter," he said.

Tuti said police arrested sub-zonal commander' Dilbar Nayak who was with Sylvester. By virtue of his rank Dilbar carries a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

"A search operation has been launched in the area," he said.

The operation was carried out by CRPF 218 battalion and CoBRA 209 battalion with Gumla police. No security personnel suffered injury in the encounter.

Source http://m.timesofindia.com/city/ranchi/Top-Maoist-commander-killed-in-Jharkhand/articleshow/48213130.cms