Overview
- Police identified the deceased as Dayanand Malakar, secretary of the CPI-Maoist North-Bihar Central Zonal Committee, who carried a Rs 50,000 reward.
- Officials said a joint STF–Begusarai police team acted on a tip-off, Malakar opened fire when cornered, and officers returned fire in self-defence with no injuries to security personnel reported.
- The exchange took place on December 31 in Nonpur village under Teghra police station in Begusarai district.
- Recovered items included a 5.56 mm INSAS rifle, a country-made pistol or carbine, an extra magazine, 25 live rounds and 15 spent cartridges.
- Police detained Malakar’s associates at the site, with statements differing on whether one or two were arrested, as authorities highlight his long record of murders, extortion and explosives cases dating back to 1999.