Patna,  A total of 10 Maoist leaders, including one who was found to be Covid positive, were arrested in raids at different places in Bihar's Aurangabad district in the last three days, police said on Wednesday.

Superintendent of Police, Aurangabad, Kantesh Kumar Mishra, said that these Maoist leaders were involved in many incidents and were wanted in several districts of Bihar. The police also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition as well.

"We have arrested Manish Yadav, a native of Arwal, Kamlesh Yadav of Aurangabad, and Yogendra Yadav, Saryu Ram, and Devilal Yadav from three different places. The leader of this Maoist gang is Manish Yadav who was notorious for taking levy from brick kilns in Arwal district to execute Maoist operations," he said.

The raids were conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police, Operations, Mukesh Kumar, and teams of Rafiganj, Pauthu, and Goh police stations were involved.

"The accused are having 15 members in the gang and they were involved in murder, loot, kidnapping for ransom, and other crimes. The efforts are on to nab other members of this gang," Mishra said.

"We are making efforts to learn about the incidents they were involved in," he added.

Meanwhile, a joint search operation of the CRPF's Cobra battalion, STF, and district police in Laduiya mountain and Chakkar Bandha jungle of the district continued on the third day on Wednesday. So far, the joint team has seized 75 IEDs, 274 IED series, 200 metres codex wire, 200 metres plastic pipe, 200 batteries, 200 piece gelatin sticks, and food items.