Extensive combing operations have been launched in the jungles of Chatra after a policeman was killed during a suspected Maoist attack after being ambushed at Itkhori jungles of Chatra on Wednesday late evening. Hawildar Om Prakash Chaurasia got killed during the incident while three other policemen got seriously injured during the incident.
“Being a difficult terrain inside the jungles as we never know where the rebels have planted landmines, we are taking every step cautiously to avoid any casualty further during the operations,” said Chatra SP SK Jha. The SP, however, revealed that the location of the rebels has been identified and will be given adequate reply soon by the security forces.Meanwhile, body of the deceased after getting guard of honur by senior officials of the state police, was handed over to the family members. Other jawans who got injured have already been sent to Ranchi, and are getting treatment at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi, Jha added.
Jawans who got injured during the incident included the names of Sachindra Kumar, Jaiprakash Singh and Anuj Kumar.According to police sources, a patrol party was ambushed by a group of Maoists after triggering a landmine while it was returning towards Itkhori block from Bhadrakali temple on an armored ‘Rakshak’ vehicle. The Hawildar got killed on the spot after the Maoists, around 40 in numbers, opened fire indiscriminately on the patrolling party.
The encounter, according to the sources, continued for over half an hour where more than 200 rounds of bullets were fired from both the sides. SP Chatra SK Jha, DIG Hazaribagh, including CRPF commandant, rushed to the spot immediately after the incident took place and combing operations was launched by the security forces.