Ranchi, Nov. 29: Dreaded Naxalite Ghashi Ram Munda, suspected to be the mastermind behind the murder of Tamar MLA Ramesh Singh Munda, was killed in an encounter with the police in the small hours today.

He was also suspected to be involved in the sensational ICICI Bank robbery and murder of Bundu sub-divisional police officer Pramod Kumar a couple of months agp.

The police also arrested two aides of Ghashi Ram after the encounter. They have been identified as Mrityunjay Das and Uday Das. The three belonged to the same village — Baruhatu of Bundu.

Ranchi senior superintendent of police M.S. Bhatia confirmed that Ghashi Ram was not only the mastermind of Munda’s murder but also of the killing of Bundu sub-divisional police officer Kumar. Bhatia also said that Ghashi Ram was the same person who masterminded the ICICI Bank loot of about Rs 5 crore in cash and gold worth over Rs 1.5 crore.

Kumar had been killed by the Naxalites in Tamar in a landmine ambush in July, following which MLA Munda had taken a tough anti-Naxalite stand. He was killed by the Naxalites a couple of days later when he was attending a function in a school in Bundu.

Bhatia said the police got a tip-off last night about Ghashi Ram’s presence along with his associates Nawadih village in Tamar. A team comprising CRPF jawans and district police was promptly rushed to the spot.

“They killed Ghashi Ram in an encounter. They also held two other Naxalites, but several others managed to escape. About six-seven rebels busy working out their new game plan, when the police ‘pounced’ upon them,” Bhatia added.

The police also have recovered one pistol, six live cartridges and two motorcycles from the spot. The arrested Naxalites have been sent to jail.