A sustained search operation is ongoing in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, with the goal of eliminating Naxal presence. On Friday, the operation focused on the challenging terrains of Tiralposi and Digha, located in the Jaraikela area. During this operation, an IED blast injured two CRPF soldiers. These soldiers are from the Cobra 209 Battalion, identified as Ram Pravesh Singh and Chhotu Kachhap.
Following the explosion, both soldiers were seriously wounded and were immediately airlifted from the Saranda forest to Raj Hospital in Ranchi, the state capital, for urgent medical treatment. Hospital sources report that their condition is currently stable. Following the admission of the injured soldiers to the Ranchi hospital, CRPF IG Saket Singh and Ranchi Range IG Manoj Kaushik visited to show support.
In the ongoing anti-Naxal efforts within Saranda, West Singhbhum district, security forces have also destroyed three Naxal bunkers and seized various materials used by the Naxals.
The search operation commenced on August 7, led by a combined force of Chaibasa Police and the Cobra 209 Battalion, following intelligence reports indicating Naxal movement in the Jaraikela police station area of West Singhbhum. On Friday, the security forces successfully neutralized three bunkers constructed by the Naxals near Hedekuli.
The IED blast occurred during the search operation, between Tiralposi and Digha, leading to injuries to Ram Pravesh Singh and Constable Chhotu Kachhap, both from the CRPF Cobra 209 Battalion. Both soldiers were airlifted from Saranda forest to Raj Hospital in Ranchi for medical care.
This incident follows a similar event on April 12, during an anti-Naxal operation in the Chhotanagra and Jaraikela areas of Saranda forest, West Singhbhum district. During an encounter, an IED planted by Naxals exploded, resulting in the death of Jharkhand Jaguar jawan Constable Sunil Dhan, and severe injuries to Cobra 203 Battalion Head Constable Vishnu Saini.