Ranchi, April 16 (IANS) The anti-Maoist operation in the Saranda forest region of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district has intensified even as one more security personnel, the sixth, has been injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast — the second such explosion within the last 24 hours, officials said.

The latest incident occurred on Thursday during a search operation by security forces in the dense Saranda forest. A trooper accidentally stepped on a pressure IED planted underground by Maoists, triggering a powerful explosion that caused serious injuries to the jawan’s leg and other parts of the body.

Given the critical condition of the injured personnel, he has been airlifted to Ranchi for advanced treatment.

Earlier, on Wednesday, a fierce encounter lasting nearly three-and-a-half hours took place between security forces and Maoists in the Baliba forest under the Chhotanagra police station area of Manoharpur.

During the operation — launched on the basis of intelligence inputs — five security personnel, including Inspector Satya Prakash of the CoBRA 205 Battalion, were injured in an IED blast.

The other injured personnel were identified as Shailesh Kumar Dubey, Uttam Senapati, Jitendra Kumar Rai, and Prem Kumar. All of them were airlifted to Ranchi on Wednesday evening for treatment.

According to security agencies, the area is considered a stronghold of dreaded Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs one crore. Sources also claimed that some Maoists may have been injured or killed in Wednesday’s encounter, though no official confirmation is available yet.

Officials said the number of active Maoists in the region has reportedly come down to less than 50, leading them to resort to IED attacks in desperation to inflict damage on security forces.

Following the deadline set by the Union Home Ministry to eliminate Maoism, operations have been intensified across Jharkhand, with thousands of security personnel deployed in forest areas. The entire Saranda region has been put on high alert, with joint teams of CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar and district police carrying out intensive search operations.

Meanwhile, repeated blasts and encounters have triggered fear among residents of nearby villages.

–IANS

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