Attack on Jharkhand security forces case: NIA searches premises of cadres of CPI (Maoist)

New Delhi [India], January 4 (ANI|): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday searched multiple locations in Jharkhand's Bokaro district in connection with the February 2024 attack on security forces by cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) terrorist organisation.

NIA teams conducted searches at the premises of suspects and overground workers (OGWs) at eight locations, and seized digital devices such as laptop, mobile phones and memory cards, along with SIM cards, pocket diaries and incriminating documents. The suspects/OGWs whose premises were searched were associated with members of CPI (Maoist) and used to provide logistical support and facilitate extortion of levy money, as per NIA investigations.

The case relates to the unlawful activities of leaders/cadres of CPI (Maoist) and the attack unleashed by the outfit on security forces in the forest area of PS Chatro-Chatti, Bokaro. On the day of the incident, commanders of the banned organisation had camped in the forest area (Sundari Pahari) along with 15-20 Naxal cadres to conspire to commit crime, recruit youth and collect levy, and attack security forces.

Acting on inputs received, a team of Jharkhand Police and CRPF had initiated a search and combing operation, during which the Naxals had started firing indiscriminately. The security forces had opened retaliatory fire but, taking advantage of the thick forest and bushes, the Naxals had managed to escape.

The search operation had, however, led to the recovery of digital devices, Naxal literature, and other incriminating articles by the local police, which registered the initial case under various sections of IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, CLA Act and UA(P) Act. The NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case in June 2024. The agency is continuing with its probe. (ANI)