Maoist leader Misir Besra arrested in India

Indian security forces arrested Maoist leader Misir Besra in the eastern state of Jharkhand, officials said Wednesday.

Besra, a central committee member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), was arrested on Tuesday evening in the forests of Dhanbad district.

A senior police officer told AFP that the Central Reserve Police Force and Jharkhand Police arrested Besra in a joint operation based on intelligence and other information. The officer described Besra as a top Maoist on the wanted list.

Authorities had offered a bounty of 10 million rupees, or $104,000, for information on Besra.

In March, New Delhi declared victory over the Maoist-inspired movement. Security forces have continued to pursue remaining operations in several states.