Chaibasa: An officer of the Cobra battalion was seriously injured in an IED blast on Sunday. The incident occurred during an anti-Naxal search operation in the dense Saranda forests of West Singhbhum. The injured officer, Assistant Commandant Ajay Mallik, was immediately airlifted to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment.
The Ambush in Saranda
Security forces were combing the region for Maoist hideouts when the explosion occurred. According to police sources, an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites detonated with a powerful impact.
West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Renu confirmed the attack. He described it as a “cowardly act” by extremist elements. Furthermore, he stated that these attacks often harm both security personnel and innocent villagers. Despite the violence, the SP reiterated that anti-Naxal operations will continue with greater intensity.
Encounter and Further Casualties
Following the blast, a fierce encounter broke out between security forces and Naxalites. During the exchange of fire, Cobra Havildar Vikram Yadav sustained a bullet injury to his abdomen.
Authorities acted quickly to rescue the injured soldier. Consequently, Yadav was also airlifted to Ranchi for emergency surgery. Officials have reported that his condition remains critical. In response to the ambush, additional reinforcements have been deployed to saturate the Saranda region.
Rising Tensions in the Forest
Saranda has witnessed a surge in violence over the past few weeks. Security officials noted that the region remains highly dangerous following a major operation in January, where 17 Naxalites were neutralized.
Recent Violence in Saranda:
- Three Major Blasts: Occurred within the last 15 days alone.
- Civilian Impact: One villager was killed in a previous explosion.
- Targeted Attacks: Extremists have allegedly planted explosives at multiple locations to stop advancing forces.
Authorities assert that these operations will not stop. Every effort is being made to ensure the safety of personnel and restore stability to this area of Jharkhand.
