Maoist attack on CRPF team in Jharkhand kills one, injures another
Police say three IEDs were set off during combing operation
On Thursday afternoon, a Maoist group led by CPI-Maoist politburo member Misir Besra detonated an IED in the vicinity of Tonto police station in the West Singhbhum district, resulting in the death of one member of the CRPF's specialized unit and the injury of another, according to the police.
Ashutosh Shekhar, the West Singhbhum SP, claims that three IED explosions were set off by the Maoist faction led by Besra (who is carrying a reward of Rs 1 crore) and other rebels on Thursday during the combing operation against Maoist groups in the Sarjamburu and Tumbahaka forest/hills region in the Tonto area.
Rajesh Kumar, 29, and Bhupender Kumar, 40, two members of CoBRA (commando battalion for resolute action, a specialized group of the CRPF trained in guerrilla/jungle warfare type operations), were hurt and flown to a private hospital in Ranchi for better care. Rajesh passed away as a result of heavy bleeding while receiving treatment. While Bhupender's status is steady, Shekhar said.
Rajesh had both of his legs seriously injured, according to reports from the Bhagwan Mahavir Medica Superspeciality Hospital in Ranchi, where the jawans were being treated. Bhupender, meanwhile, had arm-related wounds.
However, the superintendent of police for West Singhbhum declared that the security forces would not be dissuaded and would carry on with their operation to seek for and apprehend the insurgents.
"We will keep up our offensive against the rebel forces, which are mainly based in the Tonto region and are commanded by their senior leaders. The CoBRA unit and various CRPF battalions are helping with the operation. We found two IEDs, 31 spike holes, and 250 spikes (rods) on Thursday, according to Shekhar.
Spike holes are holes dug in the ground and filled with iron rod arrows intended to damage security personnel. These spikes are strong enough to pierce through people's feet. This year, rebels have killed two members of the CRPF and two members of the Jharkhand Police Special Forces in the West Singhbhum region.
