CoBRA jawan injured in IED blast in West Singhbhum, airlifted to Ranchi

Chaibasa: A CoBRA jawan was injured in an IED explosion during an anti-insurgency operations in West Singhbhum district’s Saranda forest on Thursday.

According to police Maoists triggered an IED blast in the dense forest area near Vangram Kulapuburu village, under Jaraikela police station in Chaibasa. The explosion occurred around 7:10 a.m.

The injured CoBRA jawan has been identified as Sugumar R of the 209 Battalion. His condition is reported to be stable and his airlifted to Ranchi for advanced medical care.

According to a press comminque, the blast was set off by top leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist) Naxalite organization, including Misir Besra, Anmol Mochu Anal, Asim Mandal, Chaman, Ajay Mahato, Sagen Angaria, and Ashwin, who are reportedly operating with their squad members in the Saranda and Kolhan forest areas.

According to a senior police officer a joint operation including Chaibasa Police, CoBRA Battalions 209 and 203, Jharkhand Jaguar, and several CRPF battalions (60, 197, 157, 174, 193, 134, and 26) was launched to neutralise senior Maoist leaders camping in Saranda.

The officer further added that the joint operation was launched on September 16, 2024, after receiving intelligence reports that senior Maoist leaders including Misir Besra, Anal, Anmol, Ashwin, Pintu Lohara, Chandan Lohara, and Amit Hansda alias Apatan, were camping at Saranda’s Kulapbaru forest region with their squads.