Bhubaneswar, May 21 -- In a major success for anti-Naxal operations in neighbouring Jharkhand, as many as 27 Maoists surrendered before the Jharkhand Police in a single day on Thursday, marking one of the biggest mass surrenders in recent years.

The surrendered rebels laid down arms before Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Tadasha Mishra, along with a huge cache of weapons and ammunition.

Police officials said that 25 of the surrendered Maoists belonged to the groups led by central committee members Misir Besra and Asim Mandal. These cadres reportedly operated as top commanders and armed squad members in the dense forest and hilly regions of Kolhan and Saranda, areas long considered Maoist strongholds.

Among the total 27 surre...