Jamshedpur: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) head constable was martyred and two others were seriously injured when Naxals triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) in the dense Saranda forest area of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district late Friday night. The attack took place during a joint anti-Naxal operation carried out by the CRPF and district police.
The slain jawan has been identified as Head Constable Mahendra Laskar of the CRPF’s 60th Battalion, a resident of Nagaon district in Assam. His body was airlifted to Ranchi, where a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the CRPF camp in Dhurwa in the presence of senior police and paramilitary officials. The mortal remains were later sent for post-mortem.
According to police headquarters, the explosion occurred during an ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the Manoharpur block under the Jaraikela police station area. The joint team was advancing through the forest when Naxals detonated two IEDs, targeting the security personnel.
Those injured in the blast were identified as Inspector Kaushal Kumar Mishra and Sub-Inspector Ramchandra Gogi, both of whom sustained multiple injuries. They were immediately evacuated and admitted to a hospital in Rourkela, Odisha, where their condition is said to be serious but stable.
West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Amit Renu confirmed the incident, stating that the ambush took place in the middle of an extensive anti-insurgency drive aimed at flushing out remaining Maoist elements from the Saranda region — once considered a Maoist fortress. “Two blasts were triggered by Naxals during the operation. Reinforcements have been rushed to the site, and a massive search and combing operation is underway in the area,” the SP said.
At the State Police Headquarters in Ranchi, Inspector General (Operations) Dr. Michael Raj confirmed that the IED attack was a retaliatory strike by Maoists in response to intensified security operations. “Security forces have been carrying out relentless operations in West Singhbhum and adjoining areas to dismantle Maoist networks. This attack reflects the desperation of the Naxal groups,” he said.
Police sources revealed that the IEDs were strategically planted along a forest trail, likely activated remotely when the security team approached. The thick foliage and uneven terrain made detection difficult, despite standard precautionary measures.
The martyrdom of Head Constable Laskar marks another grim reminder of the dangers faced by security forces battling Naxal extremism in Jharkhand. Between March and October 2025, three security personnel have lost their lives and nine others have been injured in similar IED blasts across the Saranda region. On March 22, CRPF Sub-Inspector Sunil Kumar Singh was killed in an explosion in the Chotanagpur area, while Jaguar jawan Sunil Dhan died in another blast on April 12.
Over the past few months, joint teams of the Jharkhand Police, CRPF, and Jaguar Force have intensified search operations in the Saranda and Kolhan regions, targeting Naxal hideouts and arms dumps. Several IEDs and explosives have been recovered, and a few Maoist sympathizers have been detained for questioning.
Officials said the latest attack coincides with the Naxal “resistance week,” a period during which Maoist groups attempt to carry out strikes against security forces to assert their presence.
Despite these challenges, police officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the momentum of anti-Naxal operations and ensuring the safety of the region’s residents. “The sacrifice of Head Constable Mahendra Laskar will not go in vain. Operations will continue with greater intensity until the area is completely free from Maoist influence,” said a senior officer.
Security has been further tightened across West Singhbhum, particularly in Manoharpur, Kiriburu, and Chotanagpur, with additional forces deployed and drone surveillance intensified to track insurgent movements.
