The 26th Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Battalion, which is fighting against Maoists across the Jhumra, is set to intensify search operations in jungles and hilly terrain to weed out extremism completely.

ASP Umesh Kumar who leading 26 Battalion of CRPF deployed in Jhumra, claimed that the Maoists are taking their last breath in Jhumra with their numbers being reduced to very few in comparison to past few years. They have chalked out strategy to intensify operation against Maoists in Jhumra.

"Due to the presence of CRPF, there are very few Maoists left in Jhumra who will also be nabbed soon including Mithlesh Mahto. Though the information based raids are still being conducted, but they have plans to launch massive operation in Jhumra," said Kumar

Meanwhile, the CRPF officials distributed blankets, shawls, clothes, mosquito nets among the villagers in Jhumra. CRPF men deployed at the camp gained confidence of the villagers by distributing essential items under their civic action programme.

Kumar said that following the recent incident the Bokaro-Hazaribagh border have been sealed so that Maoists could not enter here. He also stated that Maoists who have started losing ground in Jhumra is looking for chance to attack on para-military and police to register their presence, but they are alert.

Recently in an encounter between the CRPF and the ultras belonging to CPI Maoists,a jawan of the CRPF was injured in Rajderwa forest located under Chatrochati police station area of Gomia block of this district.

Police sources said they received a tip off that a squad by Maoist commander Mithlesh Mahto alias Duryodhana Mahto was comping in the area,after which a search operation was launched led by ASP abhiyan Umesh Kumar.

Recent gun battle had took which lasted for about an hour,after which the Maoists escaped into the deeper reaches of the forest.

Search and combing operations were going on the area after gun battle for last five days, added sources.