In a shocking incident amid anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, a senior Cobra commando was severely injured in an IED explosion planted by Maoists. The blast occurred deep inside the dense Saranda forests on Sunday morning, triggering a fierce gunfight that echoed through nearby villages.
Security forces from the 209 Cobra Battalion, conducting a routine search operation based on intelligence about Naxal presence, stepped on a pressure-activated IED. Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik bore the brunt of the explosion, suffering critical injuries. Quick-thinking comrades airlifted him to Ranchi for urgent medical care, where he remains under treatment.
No sooner had the dust settled from the blast than Naxals unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the forces. Responding with equal ferocity, the security personnel cordoned off the area, leading to prolonged exchanges of fire. The gunfire’s roar spread panic among local villagers, who hunkered down in fear.
West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Amit Renu confirmed the operation is ongoing, with additional troops rushed to the scene. Sources indicate security forces have trapped a large Naxal group, potentially inflicting casualties, though official confirmation is awaited.
This ambush follows a recent appeal by the SP for Naxals in the Manoharpur area to surrender. The entire Saranda region is now on high alert, with intensified combing operations to flush out the insurgents. The incident underscores the persistent Maoist threat in Jharkhand’s forested heartlands, where security forces risk life and limb daily to restore peace.