Bhubaneswar, Jan. 23 -- In a major anti-Maoist operation, at least 15 Naxals, including hardcore leader Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da, were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in the Saranda forest of Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Thursday. Anal Da carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head and was considered one of the most influential Maoist strategists in the region.

The encounter took place near Kumbhdih village under Chotanagra police station limits after security forces launched a joint operation based on specific intelligence inputs about Maoists planning a major explosion in the area. According to police, the Maoists, who were lying in ambush, opened indiscriminate fire, prompting strong retaliation by the f...