Maoist commander Misir Besra shifts base to Kolhan forests

Pioneer News Service

Jamshedpur

In a major tactical setback for security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand, top Maoist commander Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of ₹1 crore, has reportedly escaped a massive security dragnet involving more than 3,000 personnel and shifted his base from the Saranda forests to the dense Kolhan jungles. Intelligence inputs indicate that Besra and his close associates covered nearly 40 kilometres to evade the multi-layered security cordon.

Security agencies had earlier succeeded in confining Besra and his core group to a triangular zone covering Goilkera, Jeraikela and Kiriburu along the Jharkhand-Odisha border. However, taking advantage of gaps in the security grid and moving under the cover of darkness, the Maoist leader is believed to have broken through the cordon and established a new base in the Kolhan forest.

According to intelligence sources, Besra’s core team, including senior Maoist leader Ajay Mahato, has relocated with him. To reduce the chances of detection, the Maoist network has reportedly split into three separate groups. While Besra’s core unit has moved into the Kolhan forest, another group of 10 to 15 cadres is said to be moving in small batches along the Saranda-Odisha border, while a third faction has taken shelter in the Podahat forests.

Officials believe the relocation was prompted by sustained pressure from security forces, which have destroyed several Maoist camps, disrupted their supply network and significantly reduced their operational space in the Saranda region. The continuous offensive has forced the insurgents to abandon their long-held strongholds and seek safer hideouts.

Despite Besra’s escape, a large-scale joint operation involving the state police, central armed forces and Jharkhand Jaguar continues across the Saranda region up to the Dalma forest belt. Security forces have intensified combing operations using drone surveillance, technical intelligence and ground-based inputs to trace the movement of the Maoist groups.

Chaibasa Superintendent of Police Amit Renu said the Maoists have been pushed into a corner and their operational strength has declined sharply. He stated that the security forces have expanded the area of operations and that the approaching monsoon would further restrict the movement of the remaining cadres, leaving them with few options other than surrender.

Security agencies remain on high alert as intensive search operations continue in the Kolhan and Podahat forest areas to locate Misir Besra and dismantle the remaining Maoist network operating in the region.