Overview

• Head Constable Mahendra Laskar died around 4:00 a.m. Saturday at Apollo Hospital in Rourkela after injuries from blasts during a patrol on Friday.
• Police said two IED explosions injured three CRPF personnel, identified as Inspector K.K. Mishra, ASI Ramakrishna Gagarai and Laskar.
• All three were airlifted to Apollo Hospital in Rourkela, and officials said the two surviving injured officers will be flown to AIIMS, New Delhi for advanced care.
• The incident occurred during a routine search by the CRPF’s 60th Battalion in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum district near the Odisha border.
• Authorities suspect the CPI (Maoist) planted the devices as the group observes a declared resistance week, and the CRPF has launched intensified searches with plans for joint operations with state police.