Maoists in Chhattisgarh have released CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, after keeping him in their custody for five days following the Bijapur ambush.

A group of local journalists and community leaders went to retrieve Manhas on Thursday, and according to the latest reports, he had reached Basaguda police station and was being taken for a medical check-up.

According to the initial input, the CoBRA jawan was released in the presence of the two mediators appointed by the government — Padma Shri Dharmpal Saini and Gondwana Samaj head Telam Buraiya— and hundreds of villagers.

After spending five days in captivity when Rakeshwar Singh was finally freed, he was humiliated by the Naxals who tied him with ropes and paraded in a village in Bijapur.

After Singh’s release, his family also breathed a sigh of relief. His five-year-old daughter and his wife thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Today is the happiest day of my life. I always remained hopeful of his return. I thank the government," Meenu, wife of the CRPF jawan said.

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Padma Shri Dharmapal Saini, a 91-year-old freedom fighter and activist who has worked extensively for the education of girls from the region, Gondwana Samaj president Telam Boraiya, seven journalists and two officials of the Chhattisgarh government were part of the team that went to receive Manhas.

At around 4.30pm the abducted jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas returned safely to Terrem police station along with the facilitators who went inside the jungle to trace his location. He has now been admitted to the Basaguda field hospital for medical examination," Inspector general of police (Bastar range), Sundarraj P said.