Top Maoist Commander Ajay Mahato, Carrying Rs 25 Lakh Bounty, Arrested In Jharkhand Forest
Top Maoist Commander Ajay Mahato, Carrying Rs 25 Lakh Bounty, Arrested In Jharkhand Forest Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 20:13 IST Another senior
Top Maoist Commander Ajay Mahato, Carrying Rs 25 Lakh Bounty, Arrested In Jharkhand Forest Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 20:13 IST Another senior Maoist leader, from Jharkhand, Ajay Mahato, has been apprehended by the police and CoBRA personnel from forests. This further pushes the teetering party to its brink Rapid Read Ajay Mahato, a senior Maoist leader, has been arrested from a Jharkhand forest. (Image source: CNN-News18) A joint team of Giridih Police and the CoBRA 209 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has arrested Ajay Mahato, also known as Mochu and Tiger, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader carrying a bounty of ₹25 lakh. According to Superintendent of Police Dr. Vimal Kumar, Mahato was apprehended during a coordinated operation in the forests of Pipradih village. The action was based on specific intelligence inputs about his presence in the area.
Security personnel launched a search operation, following which he was taken into custody. Police said Mahato had been active in Maoist activities since 2005 and held the position of a Special Area Committee (SAC) commander. He was allegedly involved in a range of activities, including extortion, arranging weapons and explosives, and planning attacks. Officials said more than 240 cases have been registered against him across several districts of Jharkhand. These include cases related to murder, improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, attacks on security forces, and damage to government property. Authorities said his arrest is expected to affect Maoist operations in parts of the state where he was active. Ongoing Anti-Maoist Operations The arrest comes amid ongoing anti-Maoist operations being carried out by security forces in several states, including Jharkhand. Units such as the CRPF and its specialised CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) formations have been involved in coordinated operations targeting Maoist leadership and infrastructure.
Operation Kagaar is among the recent coordinated efforts aimed at intensifying action against Maoist groups in affected regions. The operation involves multiple security agencies working together to track movements, gather intelligence, and conduct area domination exercises in forested and remote areas. Deadline On Maoists Union Home Minister Amit Shah had set a timeline for eliminating Maoist influence in the country, March 31st 2026. The government has stated that efforts are underway to make India free of Maoist activity within the declared timeframe through sustained security operations and administrative measures. Officials have said such arrests form part of broader efforts to reduce the operational capacity of Maoist groups by targeting senior members and disrupting their networks. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.
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