6th Jawan Injured: IED Blast Rocks Saranda Forest

Ranchi (IANS): Security forces have intensified anti-Maoist operations in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum after a second improvised explosive device (IED) blast in 24 hours injured another jawan. This brings the total number of injured security staff to six since Wednesday.

The latest explosion occurred on Thursday during a search operation in the dense forest. A trooper accidentally stepped on a pressure IED that Maoists had planted underground. The powerful blast caused serious injuries to the jawan’s leg and body. Due to his critical condition, authorities airlifted him to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment.

This incident follows a fierce three-and-a-half-hour encounter on Wednesday in the Baliba forest. During that operation—launched based on intelligence inputs—an IED blast injured five personnel, including Inspector Satya Prakash of the CoBRA 205 Battalion. The other injured men include Shailesh Kumar Dubey, Uttam Senapati, Jitendra Kumar Rai, and Prem Kumar. All five were airlifted to Ranchi on Wednesday evening.

Security agencies believe the area serves as a stronghold for dreaded Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a ₹1 crore bounty. While official confirmation is pending, sources suggest that Wednesday’s encounter may have killed or injured several Maoists.

Officials report that the number of active Maoists in the region has dropped to fewer than 50. In desperation, these groups have resorted to IED attacks to inflict damage on security forces. Following the Union Home Ministry’s deadline to eliminate Maoism, joint teams of CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and district police have intensified search operations across the Saranda region.

While the high-alert operations continue, the repeated blasts and encounters have triggered significant fear among residents in nearby villages.