A CRPF jawan was killed in Jharkhand after being injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during an anti-Naxal operation, officials said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday in the Babudera-Samta area under Jaraikela police station limits in West Singhbhum district, a region known for Naxal activities, as per a PTI report.
Head constable succumbs to injuries
Head Constable Mahendra Laskar was 45 years old and was of the 60th battalion of the CRPF. He sustained critical injuries after a pressure-triggered IED detonated during the operation. He was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Rourkela but succumbed to his injuries early on Saturday, officials confirmed. Laskar, originally from Assam, had served with the paramilitary force for several years.
Naxal threat persists in West Singhbhum
The operation was part of ongoing efforts to counter Naxal activities in the district, which has long been identified as a high-risk zone for left-wing extremism, PTI reported. A CRPF spokesperson told Hindustan Times that despite preventive measures, Naxals continue to target security personnel using improvised explosives.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by CRPF and other paramilitary personnel deployed in Naxal-affected areas. Authorities said they are continuing operations in the region and urged local residents to cooperate with security forces and follow safety instructions.
