Jharkhand: 5 CRPF, 2 state police jawans injured in landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Latehar

Seven security personnel have suffered serious injuries in a landmine explosion triggered by banned left wing outfit CPI-Maoist cadres in bordering areas of Jharkhand and Chattisgarh on Thursday evening.

A senior Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official not authorised to talk to the media said, “Five jawans of CRPF and two jawans of Jharkhand Jaguar have been injured in the landmine blast.”

The officer added that the Maoists triggered the landmine as the force was nearing their base camp. The Maoists indefinitely opened fire at the team engaged in the anti-insurgency operation.

A senior officer of Jharkhand Police said, a joint anti-insurgency operation including CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar, specialised anti-insurgency troop, were conducting combing operation in Buda Pahar area.

Police said Buda Pahar is located in bordering areas of Jharkhand Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The Maoist consider it to be a safe haven after Chhattisgarh’s Bastar.

According to sources in the police department, joint operations are being conducted in the Buda Pahar from last one week to  flush out Maoist rebels from the area.

The seven injured jawans were airlifted to Ranchi for immediate medical attention. Forces in large numbers have been pushed into the area to nab the Maoists.

Till the time report was filed gunbattle was going on between Maoist rebels and joint security forces.

Earlier on November 10, four jawans of CoBRA — elite commando guerrilla warfare troop of CRPF — were injured in an landmine blast triggered by the Naxals in Latehar. The Maoists in 2013 had surgically implanted a can-bomb in CRPF troopers abdomen. More than 50 security personnel have lost their lives in the district fighting Maoists in the last one decade.