Operations against Maoists yielding significant successes: Jharkhand CM
Ranchi, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday said that large-scale operations against Maoists are being conducted across the state and its bordering areas, yielding significant successes.
Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of ASI Satyaban Kumar Singh of 134th CRPF battalion, who was killed in an IED blast during an anti-Naxal operation along the Odisha-Jharkhand border on Saturday morning.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held in honour of the slain jawan at the headquarters of 133 battalion of CRPF in Ranchi.
Speaking to reporters, Soren, "The incident is deeply saddening. We are with the family of the jawan at this time of grief."
"Large-scale operations have been carried out across Jharkhand and its bordering areas for the last several years and significant successes have also been achieved," he added.
Gangwar also expressed grief over the incident and termed it painful.
He said efforts are being made to eliminate Naxalism in the country by next year and forces working for this actively.
The CRPF official, who hailed from Kushinagar in UP, was part of a team that was conducting a search operation in the Saranda forest at the inter-state border for explosives robbed by Maoists from a stone quarry on May 27, police said.
He sustained injuries on his left leg when an improvised explosive device exploded around 6 am near K Balang village in Odisha's Sundergarh district, they said.
He was taken to a hospital in Rourkela, where he succumbed to the injuries, officials said.
The search operation was being conducted by a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force and the Special Operations Group of Odisha Police.
About 5 tonnes of explosives were robbed from a stone quarry in Sundergar's Banko by Maoists. While three-fourths of the explosives have been recovered so far, the security forces continue their search for the remaining gelatin packets, officials said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
U.S. military parade barrels through capital with tanks, troops and 21-gun salute
The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Constitution Avenue on Saturday (June 14, 2025) with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against the counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king. The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell, and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks was one Mr. Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary. Up above, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team appeared in the overcast sky, descending toward the reviewing stand. The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade but appeared in the skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned as a light rain fell. At times, Mr. Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticised Mr. Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital. In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said 'Homes not drones' not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Mr. Trump-themed merchandise. Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Mr. Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Mr. Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' Mr. Trump had brushed off the possibility of weather or protest disruptions. In a social media post Saturday (June 14, 2025) morning, he said the 'great military parade' would be on 'rain or shine.' The protests, he said earlier, 'will be met with very big force.' Hours ahead of the parade, crowds of protesters with anti-Trump signs marched toward the White House, escorted by police vehicles and officers on bicycles. Some held a giant banner that read: 'TRUMP MUST GO NOW.' The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday (June 14, 2025)'s parade was 'not a good use' of government money. The vast majority of people, 78%, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, travelled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend 'to see the military and see Mr. Trump.' Mr. Stallard, who voted for Mr. Trump, said it was 'hard to believe' people are upset about the cost of the event when 'they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we don't even need.' The daylong display of America's Army comes as Mr. Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. He similarly sought to project military strength during his first presidential term, saying in 2020 that he wanted forces to 'dominate' the streets following racial justice protests that turned violent and warning governors that he was prepared to send in active-duty fighters if they did not call out the National Guard in their states. Earlier this week, Mr. Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division, who were directed to stand behind Mr. Trump, booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There also was a pop-up 'Make America Great Again' merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform. The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform. Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg. Saturday (June 14, 2025)'s pageantry was designed to fulfil Mr. Trump's expressed desire for a big parade that he tried to get done in his first term after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017. Mr. Trump said after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Élysées that he wanted an even grander one in Washington. The parade included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, all of it viewed by cheering spectators in an atmosphere of heightened security. The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flyover of military aircraft included World War II-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like today's parade. The night also was to include a concert featuring 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks. Mr. Trump also was expected to swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops. 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organisers said were Mr. Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organisers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. Ahead of a rally and march toward the White House on Saturday (June 14, 2025) afternoon, about 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington's Logan Circle and handed out signs and danced to upbeat music from a local street band, including 'This Land Is Your Land.' The mood was celebratory as the group chanted 'Mr. Trump must go now' before erupting in cheers. A larger-than-life puppet of Mr. Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet. Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as 'I prefer crushed ICE,' referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other messages were: 'The invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.' and 'Flip me off if you're a FASCIST.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
CRPF officer killed in IED blast near Jharkhand border
1 2 3 4 Rourkela/Ranchi: An assistant sub-inspector of CRPF was killed in an IED explosion during an area domination exercise in Sundargarh district near the border with Jharkhand early on Saturday. The deceased, Satyaban Kumar Singh (34) from Kishinagar, Uttar Pradesh, was critically injured when the IED, suspected to have been planted by Maoists, detonated around 6 am at Silikuta near Banko Langalakata in Saranda forest. Singh, who was posted with CRPF's 134 Battalion, died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Rourkela. The operation was launched following intelligence inputs about Maoist movement in the area. A joint team of CRPF and special operations group (SOG) was conducting the operation when the IED blast took place. "A case has been registered at K Balang police station and investigation has started," said Nitesh Wadhwani, SP (Rourkela). DIG (western range), Brijesh Kumar Rai, visited the site following the incident. The area has been under heightened security following the looting of around 5 tonnes of explosives by Maoists from the Banko stone quarry on May 27. Security forces have since then recovered about four tonnes of the stolen explosives. On May 30, a security personnel was injured in a landmine explosion during a joint search operation, while a villager sustained injuries in a similar incident the following day. Singh's body was airlifted to Ranchi, where he was accorded a guard of honour before being handed over to his family members. Jharkhand governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, chief minister Hemant Soren and senior officials on Saturday laid wreaths on the mortal remains of martyred CRPF officer in Ranchi. Speaking to the media, Gangwar said it was distressing to learn about the incident. "The state govt is trying to prevent such occurrences," he said. Soren said anti-Maoist operations are going on in Jharkhand and neighbouring states and police have achieved successes in several of them. "The incident leading to Singh's martyrdom is heartbreaking. The state govt would stand by the affected family," he said. Inspector general Michael Raj said the operation against extremists would continue. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
4 Maoists killed in encounter in MP's Balaghat
Four Maoists, including three women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the dense forests of Balaghat Saturday. The joint operation was carried out by Hawkforce, the district police, and the CRPF. The encounter took place in the forested areas of Pachmadar and Katejhiriya. The forces continue to comb the area as part of an ongoing operation involving a large number of personnel. The operation was launched following inputs, about their movement, received last evening. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav said that a substantial cache of arms, including a grenade launcher, a self-loading rifle (SLR), two .315 bore rifles, and other equipments were seized. 'Balaghat is the only Naxal-affected district in the state, and our police force has shown exceptional courage in dealing with this menace,' Yadav said. He said among the four Maoists killed, three were women. The CM said the Maoists were planning a violent attack, which was averted. 'Our forces acted decisively and eliminated all armed Naxalites before they could harm anyone… I congratulate the entire police force.'
