Chaibasa/Ranchi: A CRPF jawan was critically injured on Monday after triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) during an anti-Maoist operation in the dense Saranda forest of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district.
According to officials, the jawan accidentally stepped on a pressure-activated IED planted along a forest trail frequently used by security patrols. The blast was powerful, leaving him with serious injuries.
He was immediately evacuated from the spot and airlifted to Ranchi, where he is currently undergoing treatment at a specialised medical facility.
The incident occurred amid an ongoing search operation in the Chaibasa region, where security forces have been actively combing the Saranda forest to track down Maoist cadres hiding in the area. Officials said intermittent encounters between security personnel and Maoist groups have also been reported.
IEDs continue to pose a major challenge for forces operating in such dense forest zones, where detecting hidden explosives is extremely difficult. In recent months, Maoist groups have stepped up the use of these devices, especially after suffering significant setbacks.
In January this year, security forces had neutralised 17 Maoists in a major operation in the region, dealing a serious blow to their network. Intelligence inputs now suggest that, in retaliation, Maoists have planted a large number of IEDs along forest routes and approach roads to target security forces.
The Saranda forest belt has seen multiple such incidents in recent weeks. Between February and March, at least three major IED blasts were reported, resulting in the death of a civilian and injuries to two COBRA Battalion personnel.
Earlier, on March 1, COBRA Assistant Commandant Ajay Mallick was critically injured in a similar blast during a combing operation in the same area.
Following the latest explosion, a high alert has been sounded across Chaibasa and nearby Maoist-affected regions. Security forces have intensified search operations, route sanitisation drives, and area domination exercises to detect and defuse hidden explosives.
Officials said operations will continue with a dual focus — maintaining pressure on Maoist groups while ensuring maximum safety of personnel on the ground.