Naxalite commander eliminated in Indian state of Bihar

A Naxalite commander was killed in an overnight gunfight with government forces in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.

The exchange of fire took place between Naxalites and a joint police force in Kalotar forest at the Katoria police station in Banka district, about 250 kilometres southeast of Patna, the capital of Bihar state.

According to the police, the exchange of fire took place during a search operation conducted based on specific intelligence about the presence of Naxals in the forest area.

‘One of the Naxalite commanders, known as Ramesh Tudu alias Tedua, was eliminated in a gunfight with the police. A bounty of Rs 100,000 has been put on the deceased's head,’ a police spokesman said. ‘He was active in Bihar and the neighbouring state of Jharkhand.’

Other Naxalites accompanying Tedua reportedly escaped into the forest, taking advantage of the terrain and darkness.

Last month, the Naxalites suffered serious losses in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, losing more than 45 of their members in firefights with government troops.

India's federal government has set a target of eradicating Naxalism by 31 March 2026.