Latest news with #CoBRABattalion
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Two CRPF personnel injured in IED blast in Jharkhand's Chaibasa, airlifted to Ranchi
RANCHI: Two CRPF personnel of the 209 CoBRA Battalion were injured on Friday in an IED blast planted by Maoists in the Saranda jungles of West Singhbhum. They were immediately airlifted to Ranchi for better treatment. The incident occurred around 11 am near Hindukocha village in the Saranda Forest under Jaraikela police station during a search operation conducted by a joint team of state police and CRPF's CoBRA Battalion. The injured personnel have been identified as Ram Pravesh Singh and Chhotu Kashyap. Following the incident, the search operation in the area has been intensified, with joint teams of Jharkhand Police and CRPF carrying out combing operations to trace the Maoists. According to police, the Maoists had planted IEDs in the forest to target security forces. Earlier, a major rail accident was averted when Maoists blew up a section of railway track, damaging it with an explosion between Karampada and Rengda railway siding under the Chakradharpur Rail Division late on the night of August 2. The movement of goods trains was halted for several hours due to the damage. In another incident on July 3, a gangman was killed and another injured in an IED blast on the railway track near Vimalgarh Railway Station at the Odisha-Jharkhand border under the Chakradharpur Rail Division while they were removing a banner from the track. Maoists are now largely confined to the Saranda jungles in Jharkhand, having been driven out from other parts of the state. Estimates suggest that around 85–90 Maoists are hiding in the Saranda jungles, where they have planted thousands of IEDs, posing a major challenge for security forces. The state police launched a joint operation in the Saranda and Kolhan jungles in November 2022 following information that senior Maoist leaders, including Misir Besra and Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da, were hiding in the forest stretch, which is considered strategically important.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai pays tribute to martyred CRPF constable in Bijapur anti-Maoist operation
RAIPUR: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid heartfelt tributes to Constable Solanki Mehul Bhai Nandlal of the CRPF's CoBRA Battalion, who was martyred during an anti-Maoist operation in the Usoor region of Bijapur district. The chief minister honoured the martyr by laying a floral wreath and shouldering his mortal remains at the 4th Battalion premises of the Chhattisgarh Armed Forces in Mana, Raipur, before the departure of the mortal remains to the martyr's native state. Expressing his condolences to the grieving family, Chief Minister Sai offered prayers for their strength and fortitude to endure this moment of profound grief. "The valour and patriotism of Shaheed Mehul Bhai will always be remembered," the chief minister said. Sai stated that the anti-Naxal campaign intensified over the past year, with security forces registering significant victories against left-wing extremism. Reiterating his govt's unwavering resolve, he said, "We shall fulfil our commitment to completely eradicate Naxalism by March 2026." He assured that the martyrdom of soldiers would not go in vain and that the govt stands firmly with the families of the martyrs, extending all possible support. "The sacrifice of Constable Solanki Mehul Bhai reflects the highest tradition of valour and dedication to the nation," the chief minister said. Home Minister Vijay Sharma also paid tributes on the occasion.
