Ranchi, May 16 – A senior Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer was killed and four others, including another CRPF officer and two Jharkhand Police personnel, were injured after lightning struck during an anti-Naxal operation in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
Officials confirmed that the tragic incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Thursday in the dense forest area of Keriburu village amid heavy rainfall.
Officer M Prabo Singh Killed in the Line of Duty
The deceased has been identified as M Prabo Singh, a Second-in-Command rank officer of the 26th battalion of the CRPF. Singh, aged 46, hailed from the West Imphal district in Manipur.Assistant Commandant Seriously Injured
Subir Kumar Mandal, a 49-year-old Assistant Commandant, sustained serious injuries in the lightning strike and was immediately rushed to Tata Main Hospital in Noamundi for treatment. Mandal is a resident of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.Lightning Strike During Anti-Naxal Patrol
The officers were leading a joint team of CRPF and Jharkhand Police as part of an anti-Naxal operation in the region when the lightning struck near a CRPF security outpost. The area was experiencing intense rainfall at the time, complicating immediate rescue and evacuation efforts.Other Personnel Injured
In addition to the two CRPF officers, two Jharkhand Police personnel were also injured in the incident. Their identities have not yet been disclosed.Rainfall Delays Rescue Operations
Officials stated that heavy rainfall severely hampered evacuation, delaying critical medical assistance to the injured personnel.The operation highlights the extreme and unpredictable challenges faced by security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations across difficult terrains and volatile weather conditions.
Authorities have not issued any further details about the condition of the injured officers or the status of the ongoing operation.