Daijiworld Media Network - Jharkhand

Gumla, Aug 6: In a major breakthrough in Jharkhand’s ongoing anti-Naxal operations, security forces shot dead Martin Kerketta, the self-proclaimed leader of the banned People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), during a fierce encounter in Gumla district on Tuesday night.

Kerketta, one of the most wanted Maoist figures in the region, carried a bounty of Rs 15 lakh and had long terrorized districts including Gumla, Khunti, Simdega, Lohardaga, and Ranchi. With a criminal record spanning over 70 cases of violence, extortion, and insurgent activity, he had been a prime target of state intelligence for years.

According to Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zama, the police received a tip-off that Kerketta and his armed squad had entered the Changabari Upartoli area under Kamdara police station limits, allegedly to extort money from a local trader.

Acting on the intel, a joint team comprising the district's anti-Naxal Quick Response Team (QRT) and personnel from nearby police stations launched a swift cordon-and-search mission. As the forces approached, the Maoists opened fire, prompting a retaliatory exchange. Kerketta was killed in the ensuing gun battle. Several weapons and rounds of ammunition were recovered from the site.

A large-scale search operation is currently underway in the area to track down remaining members of the group.

Hailing from Redma village in Kamdara, Kerketta had deep ties with former PLFI chief Dinesh Gop. After Gop’s arrest in Nepal two years ago, Kerketta rose to leadership and was inducted into the PLFI’s central committee. Known for evading capture, he had previously escaped multiple police encounters.

“This is a major blow to PLFI’s operations in Jharkhand,” SP Zama told reporters. “The elimination of Martin Kerketta, a top Naxal commander with a Rs 15 lakh reward, marks a critical success in our ongoing crackdown on extremist networks.”