CRPF jawan injured in IED blast in J'khand

A CRPF jawan was seriously injured in an IED explosion in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Thursday, police said.

The incident took place when security forces were undertaking an anti-Maoist operation in a forest near Ichahatu village in Goilkera Police Station area, a police officer said.

The injured constable of the 60th battalion of the CRPF was airlifted to a hospital in Ranchi and his condition is stated to be stable, he said.

A massive combing operation has been launched in West Singhbhum district since January 11 following intelligence inputs about the presence of top Maoist leader Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head.

Since then, five villagers, including two elderly women, have been killed and over half-a-dozen people, including CRPF personnel, have been injured in IED blasts triggered by the Maoists.