A senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost his life after being struck by lightning during an anti-Maoist operation in the forested Chhotanagra region of West Singhbhum district on the night of May 15. The officer, Second-in-Command Maharabam Prabo Singh of the 26th Battalion, hailed from Manipur and was known for his dedication to service.
The incident occurred around 10:30 PM near Keriburu village during heavy rainfall. The CRPF unit was conducting a routine anti-insurgency operation when the lightning strike took place. Assistant Commandant Subir Kumar Mandal, who was accompanying Singh, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Tata Main Hospital in Noamundi for treatment. Two personnel from the Jharkhand Police were also injured.
The sudden loss of Maharabam Prabo Singh has sent ripples of grief through the CRPF and the wider security community. In a statement, the force said, “We offer heartfelt tributes to the brave officer who laid down his life in the line of duty under such unfortunate circumstances. The entire force stands in solidarity with the bereaved family during this moment of profound grief.”
West Singhbhum is one of Jharkhand’s most sensitive Maoist-affected areas, with operations often complicated by dense forests, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions. Natural hazards like lightning have been a recurring threat in the state; only last month, four people died in similar incidents in Hazaribag district.
Maharabam Prabo Singh’s death also draws attention to the service of personnel from conflict-hit regions like Manipur. A member of the Meitei community, Singh served far from home despite the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, which have claimed over 220 lives since 2024 due to clashes between Meitei and Kuki groups.
Security forces continue their efforts to dismantle Maoist networks in the region, with plans to expand presence through new camps in the Saranda forest area. However, this tragic incident underscores the varied and often unpredictable risks faced by personnel operating in India’s internal conflict zones.
