Heartache in Raipur: Family Mourns Fallen STF Jawan

Bharat Lal Sahu, an STF jawan, and his colleague were killed in an IED blast by Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. His brother struggled to inform Sahu's wife of his death. Sahu is survived by his wife, three children, parents, and siblings. His funeral will take place on Friday.

The brother of the STF constable killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district said he got the news about the death at 2am on Thursday but could not muster the courage to break it to the deceased's wife, before a steady stream of visitors at the home from early morning revealed it.

Mansaram Sahu said he managed to tell other family members that his brother Bharat Lal Sahu was no more after getting a call at 2am but could not muster the courage to speak to the latter's wife.

When people started assembling at their homes in Raipur's Mova area, the STF martyr's wife found out about the heartbreaking incident, he told PTI.

Bharat Lal Sahu (38) was among the two jawans of the Special Task Force, a specialised unit of the state police to combat Naxalism, who died when an improvised explosive device was detonated by ultras on Wednesday night in Bijapur's Tarrem area. Four personnel were injured.

The mortal remains of the jawan were brought to Raipur this evening from Jagdalpur by road and his final rites will be performed on Friday. The last rites of Satter Singh Kange, the STF constable who died along with Sahu, was held during the day in Narayanpur.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the incident and said the sacrifice of the jawans will not go in vain. The fight against Naxalism will continue till the menace is eradicated, Sai asserted.