Jharkhand: Two CRPF personnel injured in IED blast in Saranda forest area

Singhbhum: Two personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast on Saturday while carrying out an anti-Maoist operation in the Saranda forest of Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, officials have informed.

When did the incident happen?

During the operation, two personnel of the 209 CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) accidently came in contact with the pressure IED that had been planted earlier by Naxalites in the dense forests of Saranda.

The incident took place near Chadri Dera village under the Chhota Nagara police station. It occurred when a joint team of district police and CRPF was conducting a search operation against Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres in the highly insurgency-affected region.

How many were injured in the blast?

According to officials, during the operation, the security personnel accidentally stepped on a pressure IED that had been planted earlier by Naxalites in the forest. 

The superintendent of police, Amit Renu, said that, "One CRPF jawan was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. A person also sustained minor injuries."

The explosion left two CoBRA jawans injured, one of them reportedly in serious condition, the official said.

Were the injured jawans airlifted?

The injured personnel were evacuated from the forest and given primary treatment, after the blast.

The CRPF jawans were airlifted by helicopter to Ranchi for better medical care.

Superintendent of Police of West Singhbhum, Amit Renu, said that the injured personnel are receiving proper medical treatment and efforts are being made to ensure they recover safely.