Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans from the elite CoBRA battalion were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa district on Friday. The incident took place around noon in the Mankey area near Jaraikela, within the dense Saranda forest, known as one of Asia’s thickest jungles, during a routine anti-Maoist search operation, according to police officials.

The injured jawans, whose identities have not been disclosed, sustained serious injuries and were promptly evacuated from the remote forest area. “Both personnel are being airlifted to Ranchi for advanced medical treatment,” a senior police officer stated. The CRPF’s CoBRA unit, specialized in jungle warfare, was conducting a combing operation targeting Maoist insurgents believed to be active in the region.

The Saranda forest, a known Maoist stronghold, has been the site of frequent clashes and IED attacks, posing significant challenges to security forces. Authorities have intensified operations in the area to neutralize insurgent threats, with ongoing searches for additional explosives and suspects. The incident underscores the persistent risks faced by security personnel in Jharkhand’s volatile regions.

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