IED blasts by Maoists in Dhanbad injure four CRPF jawans

According to the police, a joint team of CRPF and the district police had initiated anti-naxal operations in the forests on the border of Dhanbad and Giridih district


Photo for representational purpose. (Source: Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

At least four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans sustained injuries when Maoists triggered series IED blasts in a village under Topchanchi police station area of Dhanbad district on Saturday.

The police said that the injured jawans were out of danger. However, they added that a total of 52 IEDs were triggered on the spot by the Maoists. A major tragedy was averted as the forces took precaution and used motorcycles, the police said.

The police, prima facie, suspects the involvement of Nunu Chand Mahato, the zonal commander of Dhanbad and Topchanchi.

According to the police, a joint team of CRPF and the district police had initiated anti-naxal operations in the forests on the border of Dhanbad and Giridih district. “When the team was zeroing-in into Bodra village from different directions, a series of IED blasts was triggered on one of the tracks. Two constables of CRPF sustained injuries. They were air-lifted to Ranchi, where they have been admitted in Medica Hospital. They have sustained limb injuries; their condition is stable,” said a police officer. The operations, meanwhile, continued through the day to look for possible presence of Maoists in the area.

“Prima facie, it appears that some teenagers may have been used to trigger the blasts because no Maoists have been spotted by the forces. Further investigations are on,” said Additional Director General (Operations) and Jharkhand spokesperson S N Pradhan.

The IEDs were planted at a distance of about 30-35 metres of each other and were spread over a distance of more than 1.5 km. “Had it been a heavy vehicle, it would have been blown up. The use of motorcycles in such conditions, which are lighter and move in a zig-zag fashion seem to have worked in the favour of the forces,” said Pradhan. The team comprised nearly 25 motorcycles with two jawans on each of them.

A helicopter was rushed to the spot, which air-lifted the injured jawans and brought them to Ranchi.

Dhanbad Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Jha and other police officials reached the spot and oversaw the rescue and combing operations.

The place, where the blasts were triggered, is located on the Dhanbad-Giridih border. “On one side is Parasnath police station area of Giridih and on the other is Topchanchi in Dhabad district,” said Pradhan.

(Source : indianexpress.com)

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