Nineteen Naxals, who had been active for nearly a decade, were arrested from various locations under Bhejji and Jagargunda police station limits in a joint operation conducted by security forces. Acting on intelligence about the movement of Naxalites in forested areas between Gompad and Bhandarpadar, a joint team of the CRPF and District Force launched an anti-Naxal operation. Upon reaching Bhandarpadar, five Naxals attempted to flee but were swiftly caught by the team. Those detained were identified as Jan Militia members Vanjam Aayta, Podiyam Kosa, Sodi Hadma, Sodi Ayata, and Podiyam Pojja, who holds the position of Jantana Sarkar Vice President in Bhandarpadar. They are reportedly linked to the murder of electrician Podiyam Joga in February and the recent killing of Oyami Pandu in September, allegedly targeted as a police informant. Besides, Vanjam Aayta, Sodi Aayta, and Sodi Hadma were also involved in the 2022 murder of two police personnel near a weekly market under Bhejji limits. Meanwhile, another joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard, CoBRA, and CRPF conducted search operations around Tumalpad.

 

The search led to the arrest of several Naxals, including Militia Commander Barse Hadma, who carries a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh, alongside Barse Hinga, Hemla Mangadu, Barse Joga, Madvi Hadma, Madkam Hinga, and Madvi Nanda. Other apprehended Naxals were Barse Nagesh (CNM Commander, Rs 1 lakh reward), Madkam Rakesh, Madkam Aaytu, Hemla Jeetu (CNM Commander, Rs 1 lakh reward), and Barse Deva, a Government Committee member. Recovered from Barse Hadma were around 300 grams of gunpowder, Tiger bombs, matchboxes, gelatin rods, cordex wires, pencil cells, and detonators, all intended for attacks on security forces. The arrested Naxals have been placed under judicial remand