Jharkhand Maoist held in Uttar Pradesh

A Maoist wanted for carrying out landmine blasts and attacks on security personnel has been nabbed in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, police said Monday.

Vishundev, wanted by the police of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, was arrested in Sonbhadra, some 250 km from here, following a joint operation conducted by the police and paramilitary forces.

"Though Vishundev was nabbed Saturday, an official confirmation about his arrest was made late Sunday evening as we were busy interrogating him," police inspector A.N. Yadav told reporters.

"Vishundev is a resident of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip-off, we caught him while he was trying to enter Sonbhadra district through the Jharkhand border," Yadav said.

According to the police, Vishundev has given vital clues about the hideouts of his aides who have managed to enter Sonbhadra district.

"A revolver and several live cartridges were recovered from Vishundev's possession. During interrogation, he admitted that he works as an active member for a group headed by hardcore, wanted Naxalite Munna Vishwakarma," the officer said.

Vishundev has some 10 criminal cases pending against him, including attacks on a police outpost and carrying out landmine blasts in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, police said.