3 CRPF soldiers injured in IED attack in West Singhbhum forest

Three CRPF jawans were injured when they fell victim to an IED blast in Porahat forest division under Goelkera thana area of  West Singhbhum district about 180 km away on Thursday morning. 

The blast, apparently triggered by CPI-Maoist rebels, took place in the Merelgeda jungle while the victims belonging to 60 CRPF battalions were carrying out a counter-insurgency operation around 11:00 am today. The injured, identified as Rakesh Pathak, Pankaj Yadav and BD Guda, were airlifted to Ranchi for treatment at a hospital in the state capital.

West Singhbhum District Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar confirmed that an IED blast resulted in injuries to three jawans during a counter-insurgency operation in Porahat forest. “The injured were airlifted to Ranchi for immediate medical attention. The operation is underway,” according to the reports.

Notably, the Naxals, who have been hiding in Kolhan and Porahat forest divisions for about a month after planting IEDs in the peripheral areas of these two forest divisions, have so far detonated half a dozen IEDs resulting in injuries to as many as 14 jawans belonging to the paramilitary to the forces that together try to wash them away.

The Naxals have also targeted civilians in their diabolical plan, apparently frustrated during the onslaught that began on January 11.