TNI Bureau: Security forces killed 15 Maoists, including hardcore leader and area commander Anil Daste, in an encounter in the Saranda forest in Jharkhand, near the Sundargarh district border. Daste was carrying a reward of ₹1 crore, and several other slain Maoists also had cash rewards on their heads.

The mastermind behind the Banko blast, identified as Anmol, was also killed in the encounter. He had looted four tonnes of explosives meant for the Banko stone quarry and was carrying a reward of ₹25 lakh in Jharkhand and ₹65 lakh in Odisha.

According to reports, the exchange of fire is still ongoing, creating tension across the forest region. The operation was launched after security agencies received intelligence inputs about Maoists planning blasts near Kumbhadih village under the Chotanagara police station area in West Singhbhum district.