CRPF officer killed by lightning during anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand

A senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Maharambam Prabo Singh, was killed after being struck by lightning during an ongoing anti-Naxal operation in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The incident occurred on May 15 while the officer, second-in-command of the 26th Battalion, was actively involved in a high-risk counter-insurgency mission in the Chhotanagra region.

The CRPF paid tribute to Singh, acknowledging his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. In an official statement, the force expressed deep condolences, stating that the entire CRPF fraternity stands united with the bereaved family during this time of loss.

The operation in which Singh was participating was part of intensified action against Naxalites in the region. The past few weeks have seen an aggressive push by paramilitary forces in Maoist-affected areas across central and eastern India.

Singh’s tragic death highlights the unpredictable dangers faced by security forces, not just from armed engagements but also from natural elements encountered during field missions in remote terrains. The weather conditions in the forested zones of Jharkhand often become hostile, especially during pre-monsoon thunderstorms.

This incident comes days after security forces neutralized 31 Naxals in the Kurraguttalu Hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, marking one of the most significant anti-Naxal offensives in recent years.