In a tragic incident during an anti-Maoist operation, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, Satyaban Kumar Singh, lost his life following an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in a forested area of Odisha’s Sundargarh district. Singh, 34, was part of the 134 Battalion and had been deployed on a combing operation alongside personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Odisha Police.
The blast occurred while the joint forces were conducting a routine security sweep in a suspected Maoist-influenced area. The explosion inflicted severe injuries to Singh’s left leg, leaving him in a critical condition. He was immediately evacuated to a hospital in Rourkela but succumbed to his injuries despite medical intervention.
The operation, aimed at tracking and neutralizing Maoist threats in the region, continues even as security forces investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Further details are awaited from official sources.
This incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by security personnel in regions affected by left-wing extremism, and highlights the ongoing challenges of counter-insurgency operations in remote forested terrains of Odisha and adjoining states.
Authorities are expected to release more information on the operation and the IED blast in the coming hours.
