CRPF Jawan Killed In IED Blast During Anti-Naxal Operation Along Odisha-Jharkhand Border

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast early Saturday (14 June) during an anti-Naxal operation along the Odisha-Jharkhand border,

The jawan has been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Satyban Kumar Singh of the CRPF’s 134th battalion.

Hailing from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Singh was part of a team engaged in a search mission in the Saranda forest for explosives looted by Maoists from near a stone quarry in Odisha's Sundergarh district, news agency PTI reported.

The joint operation, involving Odisha Police, Jharkhand Police, and CRPF personnel, was being conducted when the IED went off.

According to officials, the IED detonated near K Balang village in Sundergarh around 6 am, injuring Singh on his left leg.

Around five tonnes of explosives had been robbed from a stone quarry in Banko, Sundergarh by Maoists on 27 May.

While a substantial portion of the stolen gelatin packets has since been recovered, efforts continue to locate the remainder.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences on X, saying:

“Deeply saddened to know about the sacrifice of ASI Satyban Singh of CRPF in an IED blast during a combing operation at the Odisha-Jharkhand border. He has set the highest standard of service and courage by sacrificing his life for the security of the country. I pray for the eternal peace of the martyred jawan and express my condolences to the bereaved family," Majhi said in a post on X.

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