A high-profile area commander of the banned People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), carrying a Rs 15 lakh bounty, was killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand’s Gumla district on August 5, 2025.

The encounter occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the Changabadi Upartoli area under Kamdara Police Station, during a targeted search operation prompted by a tip-off about Maoist activity, according to Gumla Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman.

As security forces approached, PLFI members opened fire, leading to a retaliatory response that resulted in the death of Martin Kerketta, the area commander. A weapon was recovered from his possession, Zaman confirmed.

The operation, launched by a special team, reflects intensified efforts to curb Maoist insurgency in the region. The search continues to locate other suspects and ensure area security. This incident marks a significant blow to the PLFI, a splinter Maoist group, amid ongoing efforts to dismantle their network in Jharkhand’s remote areas.

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