A CRPF sub-inspector lost his life, and another soldier sustained injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast during an anti-Naxal search operation in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon around 2:30 PM in the Marangponga forest area under the Chotanagra police station limits.
According to officials, the explosion was triggered by a landmine planted by Maoists to target security personnel engaged in the search operation. Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashutosh Shekhar confirmed that the blast severely injured CRPF Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Mandal and soldier Partha Pratim Dey. Both were immediately airlifted to Ranchi for medical treatment. Unfortunately, Mandal succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “Deeply saddened by the demise of CRPF officer Sunil Kumar Mandal due to an IED blast in Chaibasa. May his soul rest in peace, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldier.”
The CRPF’s 193 Battalion was actively conducting anti-Naxal operations in the region, which has witnessed frequent insurgent activities in the past. Security forces have intensified their operations to flush out Maoist elements from the area.
This unfortunate event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by security personnel combating extremism in remote forested regions. Authorities have launched further investigations into the incident and are strategizing enhanced countermeasures to prevent such attacks in the future.
