M A I N   N E W S

CRPF man killed, 15 injured in IED blasts by Maoists

Ranchi, January 27
A CRPF man was killed and 15 others injured in serial blasts carried out by Maoists in Jharkhand's Giridih district today to foil search operations by security men to rescue four abducted officials.

The abducted men were later freed. "There was a fierce gun battle and under pressure from the security men, the Maoists fled leaving behind the four persons,” said Superintendent of Police Kranthi Kumar.

“One CRPF man (Badal Roy) died, while 11 CRPF personnel and four Jharkhand Jaguars were injured in the blasts,” a statement from the CRPF said. Sources said a CRPF sub-inspector lost his legs in the attacks.

Officials said the search teams witnessed 13 improvised explosive device (IED) blasts during the operation, involving 350 personnel of the joint forces launched to create pressure on the Maoists to release the abducted men.

The four were abducted on Saturday from Navkania village on the foothills of Parasnath after Maoist intercepted their car. The abducted persons were engaged in activities under social security pension and MG-NREGA, Giridih district officials said. Helicopters were used to evacuate the injured personnel. — PTI