Naxal Commander Brijesh Ganjhu Killed In UP ATS Encounter In Varanasi

In an encounter in the Ram Nagar neighbourhood of Varanasi early on Sunday morning, the UP Police killed a commander of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), a banned Naxalite organisation based in Jharkhand, according to officials.

Brijesh Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh Bhokta, was travelling on a motorcycle when the incident took place.

According to police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh, while the Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh for information leading to Brijesh Ganjhu’s arrest. The combined bounty on him was Rs 30 lakh.

Police said they tried to stop and arrest Brijesh on Sunday morning after receiving information from an informant. He and an associate were travelling on motorcycles through Ramnagar towards Mughalsarai. He allegedly opened fire at the police officers after jumping off the motorcycle instead of stopping.

He sustained bullet injuries in the ensuing exchange of fire.

Additionally, bullets fired by the accused hit the bulletproof jackets of UP ATS Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna.

Brijesh was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Naxal Commander Killed In UP ATS Encounter

“Gopal Singh Bhokta alias Brijesh Ganjhu, a commander of the banned Naxalite organisation ‘Tritiya Prastuti Committee’ and a resident of Chatra, Jharkhand, has been killed in an encounter with the ATS,” said Amitabh Yash, ADG Law and Order, Uttar Pradesh.

Two handguns and a carbine, along with ammunition, were recovered from his possession. He was carrying a total bounty of Rs 30 lakh and was involved in around 50 criminal cases, two of which were being investigated by the NIA.

Yash said the killing of the Naxalite commander was a major setback for the TPC and that the organisation had effectively come to an end. A search for his associates is underway.