Chaibasa (Jharkhand), May 12 — A constable from the elite Jharkhand Jaguar force sustained injuries on Monday after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during an anti-Naxal operation in the Maoist-affected West Singhbhum district.
The injured personnel, identified as Manoj Kumar Damai, is part of the Bomb Disposal Squad of the Jharkhand Jaguar — the state’s specialized anti-Maoist unit. According to Ashutosh Shekhar, Superintendent of Police, the incident occurred under Chota Nagra police station limits while joint security teams comprising the CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar, Cobra unit, and District Armed Police were conducting a combing operation across the dense forests of Kalapaburu, Dalaigada, and Marangponga.
Damai reportedly stepped on a hidden IED that had been planted by operatives of the banned CPI (Maoists) to target patrolling forces. The device exploded, injuring the constable.
After receiving initial medical attention at the site, he was promptly airlifted to Ranchi for advanced treatment. His current condition has not been disclosed.
The joint security operation remains underway as forces continue to sanitize the area and search for additional threats.