Bhubaneswar: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) blast during an anti-Maoist operation in Sundargarh district early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred near the Banko stone quarry in the Kuari hill area under K. Balang police station.
The deceased jawan has been identified as 34-year-old Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Satyaban Kumar Singh of the CRPF’s 134th Battalion. He was a native of Uttar Pradesh.
According to sources, Singh was critically injured when an IED, suspected to have been planted by Maoist insurgents, detonated during a combing operation in the dense forest area. He was immediately evacuated to a private hospital in Rourkela, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The official social media account of CRPF India on X confirmed the incident and stated, “The CRPF salutes the indomitable courage, valour, and dedication to the motherland of our braveheart.”
Further investigation is underway.