India arrests Maoist leader Misir Besra in Jharkhand

In a major blow to India's long-running Maoist insurgency, senior Communist Party of India (Maoist) Politburo member Misir Besra was arrested on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in a joint security operation in Jharkhand. Besra, who carried a bounty of 1 crore rupees and was the last active member of the group's highest leadership bodies, was apprehended near the Dhanbad-Giridih district border.

The operation was conducted by a joint team including the Jharkhand Police, the Central Reserve Police Force, the CoBRA battalion, and the Intelligence Bureau. Acting on specific intelligence, forces intercepted a vehicle in the Maniadih area, capturing Besra along with several associates. Those arrested include regional committee members Mehnat, also known as Mochu, Vibhishan Murmu, and Gaurav, alias Saurabh, each carrying rewards of 15 lakh rupees. Two other individuals were also detained.

Officials said the breakthrough followed the surrender of 16 Maoist cadres in Ranchi earlier on Tuesday. Among them was Devan Murmu, alias Shanicharwa, identified as Besra's close bodyguard. Intelligence provided by the surrendered cadres was crucial in planning the operation that led to Besra's capture.