Police, TSPC members exchange fire in Palamu

Daltonganj: Members of the outlawed TSPC made a hasty retreat after a brief gunfight with police personnel in the jungles of Mahuari near Sinjo village under the Tarhassi police station of Palamu district on Friday. There was no initial report of any injury or casualty on the splinter group of the Maoists.

Speaking about the encounter, Palamu SP Reeshma Ramesan said, "All our personnel are safe and unhurt. We are trying to find out if there are any injuries or casualties among the Naxals."

The SP further said, "There was a TSPC squad led by zonal commander Shashikant, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. He was accompanied by Nageena, Gautam and Mukhdev, three notorious members. After getting specific inputs about their presence, ASP (ops) Rakesh Singh and police teams from Tarhassi, Manatu and Panki police stations conducted a raid. Upon seeing the team, the ultras opened fire. Our team also retaliated. The rebels then made a hasty retreat."

No weapon and ammunition were recovered but TSPC members left behind their daily-use items, medical stuff, food provisions, plastic mats, blankets, etc.