Bhubaneswar, 14 June (H.S.): A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, critically injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast during an anti-Maoist operation in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Saturday morning, has succumbed to his injuries.
The deceased, Satyaban Singh (34), was a member of the CRPF's 134 Battalion and hailed from Uttar Pradesh. He was severely injured when an IED, suspected to have been planted by Maoist insurgents, detonated during a combing operation in the forested Kuari hill area under the K Balang Police Station limits. Singh was immediately evacuated to a private hospital in Rourkela, where he passed away during treatment.
The blast occurred amid intensified search operations launched by security forces following a major incident three weeks ago, when Maoists looted nearly five tonnes of explosive materials from the Banko stone quarry. So far, around four tonnes of the stolen explosives have been recovered. Authorities believe the latest explosion may have involved remnants of the looted stockpile or was part of a deliberate trap set by Maoists to obstruct ongoing operations.
Senior officials from CRPF and Sundargarh police reached the incident site to oversee the situation. Additional forces, including bomb disposal squads and sniffer dog units, have been deployed to secure the area and detect further explosive devices.
Security has been tightened in surrounding villages and forested zones, with authorities urging local residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. A few days earlier, Maoists had allegedly hijacked a truck carrying explosives in the same region, further escalating concerns.
This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by Maoist groups in mineral-rich regions like Sundargarh, highlighting the risks faced by security personnel engaged in counter-insurgency efforts.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
