Jharkhand News : An Assistant Commandant of the 209 CoBRA Battalion was seriously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast during an anti-Naxal operation in the Saranda forest area of West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, on Monday morning.
The injured officer has been identified as Ajay Malik. The explosion was reportedly very powerful, and its sound was heard across a wide area.
Superintendent of Police Amit Renu confirmed the incident. According to officials, security forces had received intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist insurgents in the Saranda forest region. Acting on the information, a joint team of the 209 CoBRA Battalion and district police launched a search operation in the dense and difficult terrain.
Pressure IED Planted Underground
During the operation, a pressure IED planted beneath the ground suddenly exploded as the team was moving through the forest. Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik sustained serious injuries in the blast.
Airlifted to Ranchi
Following the explosion, other personnel secured the area and intensified the search operation. Additional forces were deployed as a precautionary measure. The injured officer was immediately evacuated from the spot, given preliminary medical aid, and later airlifted to Ranchi for advanced treatment. His condition is reported to be critical.
Police officials stated that anti-Naxal operations in the region are ongoing and security has been further tightened in the area.
