Ranchi, May 15 — A tragic incident during an anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand claimed the life of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer and left another seriously injured after both were struck by lightning on Thursday night.
The incident occurred around 10:30 pm in Keriburu village, located in the dense jungle area of West Singhbhum district, which was experiencing heavy rainfall at the time.
According to officials, the deceased officer has been identified as M Prabo Singh, a second-in-command in the CRPF's 26th battalion. Singh, who hails from West Imphal district in Manipur, was leading the operation when the lightning strike occurred.
Another officer, Assistant Commandant S.K. Mandal, sustained serious injuries in the incident and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Both officers were at the forefront of a CRPF-led counterinsurgency mission against Naxal elements in the region when nature took a fatal turn.
Authorities have expressed their condolences and recognized the bravery of the officers who conducted the operation in extreme weather conditions.