
Additional SP killed in IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma; two other police officers injured
RAIPUR: Additional superintendent of police (ASP) of Konta division succumbed to severe injuries he sustained in a pressure Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast planted by Maoists in Sukma, about 500 km south of Raipur, on Monday.
In the IED blast, the SDOP and station house officer of Konta were also injured; the condition of the two is stated to be out of danger.
Raipur native ASP Akash Rao Giripunje was on his patrol duty walking along with his team on the Konta-Errabore route in the wake of the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the banned outfit CPI (Maoist) on June 10, when the blast occurred.
All three were rushed to the Konta hospital where Giripunje died while undergoing treatment.
IED is the most accessible weapon for Maoists. IED blasts remain the biggest challenge for armed forces navigating the Maoist cradle in Bastar region, as many security personnel and civilians have been killed in such incidents.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Maoist commander arrested, cache of arms recovered in Jharkhand's Chatra
Chatra (Jharkhand): The Jharkhand Police have arrested a senior Maoist leader and recovered a huge cache of ammunition from a forest in Chatra district, officials said. Arjun Ganjhu, a top commander of the banned Maoist outfit Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), was apprehended during a raid in Tikda village under the Lawalong police station area. Acting on a tip-off about his movement, a special team led by Simaria SDPO Shubham Khandelwal conducted the operation and nabbed the militant. Chatra Superintendent of Police Sumit Agrawal informed during a press conference on Tuesday that a country-made pistol was recovered from Ganjhu at the time of his arrest. Following interrogation, he revealed the location of a hidden arms cache in a nearby forest. A search led to the recovery of 723 live cartridges concealed underground in a box. The cache included 477 rounds of INSAS rifle ammunition and 246 rounds of .303 rifle cartridges -- indicating preparations for potential attacks or supply to other cadres in the region. SP Agrawal said the recovery dealt a blow to the operational capabilities of the TSPC in the area. Ganjhu is a repeat offender and had previously been jailed for involvement in Maoist-related activities. In a separate operation, Lohardaga Police arrested another absconding Maoist, Lalind Mahato alias Rajkumar Yadav, who had been evading capture for several years. Lalind, a resident of Semardih village in Kisko police station limits, has multiple cases lodged against him in Lohardaga, Latehar, and other districts of Jharkhand. Lohardaga SP Sadique Anwar Rizvi said that Lalind was associated with the squad of Ravindra Ganjhu, a zonal commander of the CPI (Maoist), who carries a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head. Police believe that Lalind's arrest could yield crucial intelligence about Maoist activities and logistics in the region. After his court appearance, preparations are being made to send him to judicial custody.


The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
National Security Guard defused two drones laden with explosives at Jammu airport after Operation Sindoor: NSG Director General
The National Security Guard (NSG) played a key role in defusing eight kilogrammes of explosives dropped by two drones at Jammu civilian airport in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, NSG Director General Brighu Srinivasan said on Tuesday (June 10, 2025). The NSG has been deployed for anti-Maoist operations in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra along with the State police, Mr. Srinivasan said. This is the first time that the NSG has been deployed in a Left Wing Extremism-affected area amid the Union government's aim to end Maoism by March 2026. The NSG is an elite counter-terror and counter-hijack force deployed during terrorist attacks in civilian areas, and also provides security cover to VVIPs. The force draws 100% of its strength from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Army personnel on fixed deputation. In the recent past, 17 religious sites, 21 nuclear installations, and 14 sensitive locations had been surveyed by the NSG, and their 3D maps prepared, Mr. Srinivasan said. The NSG conducts counter-hijack and counter-terrorism exercises round the year in coordination with the State police, and 180 anti-air hijack exercises were held in 2024, he said. 'Last month, counter-terrorist exercises were conducted along with J&K Police and Indian Railways, and in future, train intervention exercises will be intensified,' Mr. Srinivisan said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 23rd edition of the NSG's Counter-Terror International Seminar under the theme 'Forging Collaboration and Innovation to Counter Terror Threats and Address the Complexities of Modern Terrorism'. 'In January this year, on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a security audit of Inland Waterways Cruise Liners was done, and anti-hijack exercises were conducted on cruise liners on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers,' the Director General said. A specialised operations training centre is under construction at Manesar in Haryana at a cost of ₹140 crore. Delegations from more than 17 foreign countries, including the U.S., Russia, Japan, Israel, Germany, and Indonesia are participating, along with senior officials from the State police, CAPF, the Indian Army, intelligence agencies, and leading think tanks. Discussions led by experts from the U.S. and Israel focused on global counter-terrorism frameworks, counter-radicalisation strategies, and operational challenges in urban combat, helping Indian stakeholders benchmark best practices from friendly foreign countries, the NSG said in a statement. The NSG signed a Memorandum of Understanding with various State police forces, laying the foundation for a first-of-its-kind unified counter-terrorism coordination framework, institutionalised joint training, and first responder interoperability. 'The MoU embodies India's resolve to evolve from fragmented action to a synchronised national response, integrating both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities through a calibrated, interoperable structure,' the NSG said.


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh police vow to eradicate Maoism in Bastar, Bastar IG visits site of blast in Konta
RAIPUR: Maoists had planted another IED at the site of blast where an Additional SP was killed in Konta region in Sukma district, which was defused by security forces during inspection. A day after the tragic death of ASP Akash Rao Girepunje in an IED blast, Bastar Range Inspector General of police P Sundarraj visited the spot and vowed that the police would not relent until Naxalism is eradicated from Bastar. 'We have launched an operation to track down the Maoists responsible for Monday morning's attack that has also injured our two officers,' IG said. An IED planted by Maoists at the same location where blast took place was defused on Monday evening when an investigation team went to the spot for probe. During his visit to the blast site in Konta, IG Sundarraj confirmed that security forces have launched an operation to track down the Naxalites responsible for Monday's attack, which also injured two other officers. A follow-up search led to the recovery of another IED planted at the site, which was safely defused. Girepunje, 42, who had been serving as ASP of Konta since March last year, was killed when the IED exploded at a stone quarry in the area. His sacrifice was honored by Sundarraj, who emphasized that the police are prepared to take on the Naxalites with full strength. 'We will not stop until Bastar is completely free from Naxalism,' said Sundarraj. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo 'The sacrifice of Akash Rao and other martyrs will inspire our mission for peace and prosperity.' A Bomb Detection and Disposal Team also recovered pressure IED components and debris from the site. Security forces are continuing their search in nearby areas, and authorities have initiated an investigation with an FIR lodged at Konta police station. The IG assured that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for this cowardly act, reaffirming the police's resolve to finish the Naxal threat in the region once and for all.