A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) paratrooper was killed in an encounter with the CPI (Maoists) in Tebo valley in West Singhbhum district, 120 km from Ranchi on Tuesday. Santosh Kumar Singh of 209 Battalion of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) suffered splinter injuries on his chest and was airlifted to Ranchi where he succumbed to his injuries. The encounter is still on with CoBRA, Jharkhand Jaguar, and Jharkhand Armed Police being stationed in Tebo Valley.
“We have sufficient forces in Porahat and we will send in more reinforcements. The encounter may continue two to three days,” said Jharkhand Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar.
“We acted on specific intelligence about the presence of Maoists led by zonal commander Prasad in Porahat forest north of Saranda. There was intermittent firing all through on Tuesday. The area has been laid with Improvised Explosives Devices by the Maoists,” said Additional Director of Police S. N. Pradhan.
An encounter had taken place between Maoists and the security personnel 10 days back in Porahat forest but no casualties were reported.
