Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi

Ranchi, Apr 16: Anti-Maoist operations in the Saranda forest region of West Singhbhum have intensified after another security personnel was injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast, marking the second such incident in 24 hours, officials said.

The latest explosion occurred during a search operation in the dense Saranda Forest, when a trooper accidentally stepped on a pressure-triggered IED allegedly planted by Maoists. The blast caused serious injuries, particularly to the jawan’s leg, and he was airlifted to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment.

This follows a major encounter on Wednesday in the Baliba forest area under Chhotanagra police station limits in Manoharpur, where a nearly three-and-a-half-hour gunfight took place between security forces and Maoists.

During that operation, five personnel, including Inspector Satya Prakash of the CoBRA 205 Battalion, were injured in a separate IED blast. The other injured were identified as Shailesh Kumar Dubey, Uttam Senapati, Jitendra Kumar Rai, and Prem Kumar. All were also airlifted to Ranchi for treatment.

Security agencies believe the region remains a stronghold of Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore. While there are indications that some Maoists may have been injured or killed during the encounter, there has been no official confirmation so far.

Officials said Maoist presence in the region has reduced to fewer than 50 active members, leading them to increasingly rely on IED attacks to target security forces.

Following directives from the Union Home Ministry to eliminate Maoist activity, large-scale operations have been launched across Jharkhand. Thousands of personnel from units including CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and district police have been deployed for coordinated search operations.

The ongoing encounters and repeated blasts have also created an atmosphere of fear among residents of nearby villages, as security forces continue their intensified crackdown in the region.