Munna Vishwakarma, a self-styled zonal commander of the CPI(Maoist), was arrested in Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) on Thursday morning following a gunbattle.

Police said Vishwakarma’s associate, Ajit Kol, was also arrested during the encounter.

Rohtas and Kaimur police had launched an intensive operation on Kaimur plateau to nab Vishwakarma, who was wanted in at least 40 cases of Naxalite violence in Rohtas district alone.

Vishwakarma was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head.

The shootout occurred near Jharia Nala under Chopan police station, close to the UP-Bihar border.

“The Rohtas police had recommended in April this year to increase the cash reward for the arrest of Vishwakarma from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh,” said Manu Maharaj, the Rohtas superintendent of police.

He said the Rohtas police would take the arrested Maoist leader in remand for questioning.

“Legal formalities are being completed for the purpose,” he added. Sources said the UP police had also announced a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh on Vishwakarma’s head.

A resident of Sammavad Tola under Robertganj police station in Sonebhadra district, Vishwakarma was the ”commander” of the outfit’s Soneganga Vindhyachal unit.

Vishwakarma used to operate in areas under Rohtas and Kaimur in Bihar and Sonebhadra district in UP.