Top Maoist leader Sahdeo Soren, carrying a ₹1 crore bounty, was killed along with two senior rebels, Raghunath Hembram (₹25 lakh) and Birsen Ganjhu (₹10 lakh), in a Jharkhand encounter. The joint operation by CoBRA, Giridih, and Hazaribagh Police began at 6 am in Karandi village; bodies were recovered, and a search continues in the forested area.