Kamal Ghorui
Jamshedpur: A CoBRA jawan was hurt in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Saranda forest on Thursday, even as security forces are engaged in the gun battle with the Maoist guerrillas for the second day in a row to finally flush out Naxals from West Singhbhum.On Thursday morning, an explosive went off when the security personnel were taking on the outlawed gang in the North of Baliba village under Chotanagra police station limits. Abhinav Kumar, a jawan of 210 Battalion of the CRPF, sustained bodily injuries when he came in contact with the bomb. He was rushed to the local camp for first-aid and then air-lifted to Ranchi for advanced treatment.“We are still fighting the gun-battle, details could be shared once the operation ends,” said SP, Amit Renu.Intermittent firing was reported from both sides on the second day as well.Notably, five security personnel, including inspector Satya Prakash of 205 Battalion, were hurt in the IED blast and gunfire exchange on Wednesday.The security forces have reportedly surrounded Baliba and have cornered the Maoists. Baliba, the hilly terrain in the deep Saranda forest is one of the safe locations of the Naxalites.Multiple security agencies, including district police, jointly launched combing in Baliba on Wednesday upon receiving input about the movement of Maoist operative Misir Besra and his squad.Besra, a senior politburo member of the Maoists outfit who carries a reward of Rs 1 crore, was reportedly guiding his squad to safer location, when security personnel raided the spot. The gun fight ensued after unprovoked firing was unleashed by the Naxalites in an attempt to neutralise the security forces.Talking to a local channel in Ranchi, police spokesperson Micheal Raj said that they are hoping for favourable results soon as the security forces have launched a final assault to clear the area from rebels.“We are working on two-pronged strategy — one to make them surrender or eliminate them. We are also in touch with some rebels’ families for laying arms. We are also expecting that Misir and his squad will surrender soon,” he said.
