Senior Naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu killed in Varanasi ATS encounter

On a quiet Sunday morning in Varanasi, the Uttar Pradesh Anti‑Terrorism Squad (ATS) cornered a man they had been tracking for weeks – Brijesh Ganjhu, also known as Gopal Singh Bhokta. Ganjhu was not a small‑time operative; he was a senior commander of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), a banned outfit that splintered off from the Maoist movement.

According to officials, the ATS received a tip that Ganjhu would be riding his motorcycle from Tengra Mor toward Mughalsarai, passing through the bustling Ramnagar area. When police tried to intercept him near Lanka Maidan, the encounter turned violent. Ganjhu dismounted, drew his weapon and opened fire on the officers.

What followed was a brief but intense exchange of gunfire. Two ATS officers – DySP Vipin Rai and head constable Nitendra Krishna – felt the impact of bullets that pierced their bullet‑proof jackets, yet, miraculously, they walked away unharmed. Ganjhu, on the other hand, sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors could do little – the injuries proved fatal and he was declared dead shortly after arrival. The operation, police said, was the result of months of surveillance and the crucial tip about his presence in the city.

The bounty on Ganjhu’s head added another layer of intrigue. The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh for information leading to his capture, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) offered an additional Rs 5 lakh, bringing the total to Rs 30 lakh.

Senior police spokesperson IG (Narendra Singh) confirmed the death and said that senior officials would soon visit the encounter site to oversee the final legal formalities. The death of such a high‑ranking Naxal leader is expected to send ripples through the banned group’s ranks and could alter the security dynamics in the region.