Mail News Service
Chaibasa, Feb 26: Security forces on Thursday foiled a major Naxalite plot ahead of the municipal election vote count in Jharkhand’s Saranda region, by recovering and defusing an improvised explosive device (IED).
The IED was found on the Manoharpur–Chaibasa main road near Tontogarha village under the Chotanagrah police station area. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that Naxalites had planted explosives to target security personnel, forces immediately launched a search operation early in the morning.
Traffic on both sides of the busy road was stopped around 9:30 am as a precautionary measure. A joint team of security personnel and the bomb disposal squad conducted a thorough search of the area. During the operation, an IED was recovered from the roadside.
The explosive was later defused on the spot through a controlled detonation, preventing any damage or casualties. Traffic remained disrupted for nearly two-and-a-half hours during the operation. Security personnel also carried out an extensive search of the surrounding areas to ensure that no other explosives were planted.
The information about the suspected explosives had created panic among local residents. However, timely action by the security forces helped avert a major incident.
Superintendent of Police Amit Renu confirmed the recovery and said the IED was neutralised before it could cause harm. He added that patrolling and search operations had been intensified in Saranda and nearby areas, including Kiriburu, in view of the upcoming vote count.
The recovery of the explosive device in the Naxal-affected Saranda region highlighted the continuing security challenges in the area. Officials said heightened vigilance would remain in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the election process.
