Martin Kerketta encounter: Martin Kerketta, the de-facto chief of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a splinter Maoist outfit, was killed in a police encounter in the Changabari forest under Kamdara police station limits in Gumla district, the police confirmed on Tuesday.
According to Gumla Superintendent of Police (SP) Haris Bin Zaman, the slain militant has been identified as Martin Kerketta, who was heading the PLFI after its former chief, Dinesh Gope, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Nepal in 2023. Kerketta had a bounty of ₹15 lakh on his head.
“Kerketta was a regional commander and was wanted in 72 criminal cases across multiple districts, including Gumla, Simdega, Ranchi, Khunti, Chatra, Chaibasa, and Hazaribag,” the Gumla police said in an official statement.
Intelligence-Led Operation Ends in Fatal Shootout
SP Zaman said that a 10-member police team was deployed for a cordon and search operation in the area on Monday following credible intelligence inputs about a PLFI squad’s movement under Kerketta’s leadership.
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The encounter began around 9 PM on Monday when the PLFI squad opened fire on the police. “In retaliatory firing, Kerketta was shot dead, while four other members of his squad escaped. A search operation is currently underway to track them,” Zaman stated.
The police are continuing combing operations in the area to eliminate remaining threats and recover any weapons or evidence left behind by the fleeing militants.
