Chhattisgarh: Two CoBRA jawans lose their lives in IED attack in Sukma
- In Reports
- 02:06 PM, Jun 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
Two jawans belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force's elite guerrilla unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) lost their lives in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast carried out by Maoists in Sukma district on Sunday, as reported by Bastar police.
The incident occurred at approximately 3pm while the personnel were engaged in road opening party (ROP) duty, advancing from Silger camp towards Teklagudam under the Jagadonga police station area.
According to a police statement, the Maoists had planted the IED targeting the security forces along the Teklagudam road from Silger. The personnel of the 201 CoBRA battalion were moving on a motorcycle and a truck when the explosion occurred. The blast resulted in the fatalities of a jawan driving the truck and another jawan serving as the assistant driver.
The deceased jawans were identified as Visnhu R (35), a resident of Kerala, and Shailendra Kumar (29), hailing from Uttar Pradesh, confirmed a senior official. Another senior police official noted that the IED blast caused a crater approximately six metres deep on the road.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan reported that the Maoists triggered a command-initiated IED from a distance of approximately 150 metres. The incident occurred while two companies of CoBRA were on road opening patrol (ROP), transporting rations to the Teklagudam camp.
The IED, planted by Maoists near Timmapur village, detonated as the truck carrying store materials for the camp passed by, resulting in the deaths of both the truck's driver and assistant driver, who were CoBRA jawans.
Inspector General of Police for Bastar range, Sunderaj P, suggested that the command IED was likely activated by a few Maoist cadres concealed in the nearby forest. He clarified that only the driver and an additional jawan were present in the vehicle during the incident, while the rest of the jawans were engaged in foot patrol.
According to records from Chhattisgarh police, Maoists have killed a total of 12 security personnel in 2024 so far. Conversely, security forces have reported the deaths of 131 Maoists in separate encounters across the state this year.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in a statement on X, expressed condolences over the death of two CoBRA jawans in an IED blast carried out by Maoists in Tekalgudem, Sukma district. He prayed for peace for the souls of the deceased and strength for their families.
Sai attributed the attack to Maoist frustration amid ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Bastar, describing their actions as cowardly. He affirmed that the sacrifice of the jawans would not be in vain and vowed relentless efforts until Maoism is eradicated from the state.
Image source: Times of India
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