Two jawans of anti-Maoist force in Odisha injured in IED blast

The area where the IED blast happened is in the trijunction area of Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts

Published on: Dec 24, 2023, 16:59:30 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty

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Two jawans of Odisha’s elite anti-Maoist force Special Operations Group sustained injuries after an improvised explosive device, suspected to be planted by Maoists, went off in Kandhamal district on Sunday.

Police said the entire area where the IED blast occurred has been cordoned off by the jawans who have launched a counter-strike on the Maoists. (Representative Image)

Kandhamal superintendent of police (SP) Suvendu Patra said combing operation was going on in Sirla forest under Tumudibandh police station area around 10 am when the IED blast took place. “One of the jawans received splinter injuries in one of his eyes and has been admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar while the other one received injuries in his hand. Following the blast, a massive combing operation has been launched by the jawans. An exchange of fire between the jawans and Maoists was also underway,” said Patra.

The entire area has been cordoned off by the jawans who have now launched a counter-strike on the rebels. The area where the IED blast happened is in the trijunction area of Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.

“We are suspecting the presence of a large group of Maoists in the area. As the live operation is underway, commandos are also present at the spot. There are no inputs of any casualties from the Maoists side. Usually, teams take precautions during such operations, it may be some old hideout. A clear picture will emerge after the team returns,” said Patra.

Ten days ago, there was an encounter between Odisha police and Maoists in Nalikumbha forest of Boudh district neighbouring Kandhamal. However, there was no report of any injury.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More