LUCKNOW: Wanted commander of the banned Jharkhand-based extremist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Varanasi early Sunday morning, police said.The encounter took place in the Lanka Maidan area under Ramnagar police station, along the route connecting Tengra Mor, Ramnagar and Mughalsarai.According to police, the UP ATS received confidential information that Ganjhu was travelling towards Mughalsarai on a motorcycle with an associate. Acting on the information, an ATS team, along with local police, intercepted the motorcycle and attempted to arrest him.Police said Ganjhu did not surrender and instead got off the motorcycle and opened fire at the security personnel. The ATS team retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire in which Ganjhu sustained bullet injuries.During the exchange, bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of UP ATS deputy superintendent of police Vipin Rai and head constable Nitendra Krishna, police said. Both policemen were protected by their bulletproof gear and were reported to be safe.Ganjhu was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival, police said.
Rs 30 lakh reward on Ganjhu
Ganjhu, a resident of Lutu village under Lawalong police station in Chatra district, Jharkhand, was identified as a commander of the banned TPC.A total reward of Rs 30 lakh had been announced for information leading to his arrest — Rs 25 lakh by the Jharkhand government and Rs 5 lakh by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).The TPC is a breakaway extremist outfit associated with the Maoist insurgency in Jharkhand. Ganjhu had been wanted by security agencies in connection with cases linked to the organisation. Reports have also linked him to alleged extortion and other criminal activities in the Chatra region.
Associate manages to escape
According to preliminary reports, Ganjhu was travelling with another person when the ATS team intercepted the motorcycle. The associate reportedly managed to flee during the exchange of fire.Security personnel subsequently secured the encounter site and began collecting evidence. Further investigation is underway to establish Ganjhu’s activities in Varanasi, his movements and the identity and whereabouts of his associate.The encounter comes as security agencies continue to track the activities of TPC members operating outside Jharkhand.
