A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan died after being bitten by a venomous snake during an anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest on Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, who was serving with the 209 CoBRA Battalion.
According to Jharkhand police headquarters, a search operation was underway in the dense forests of Chhota Nagra when the incident occurred. Kumar was bitten by the snake while on duty.
Fellow personnel rushed him out of the forest and took him to a hospital in Kolebira. However, despite immediate medical attention, doctors declared him dead during treatment.
Security personnel deployed in Saranda often face life-threatening risks not only from Naxal encounters but also from natural hazards. Over the years, snake and scorpion bites, mosquito-borne diseases, and even lightning strikes have claimed the lives of several security men operating in the inhospitable terrain.
Officials recalled that Kumar had been part of several anti-Naxal operations during his posting with the elite 209 CoBRA Battalion, a specialised unit trained for guerrilla warfare in hostile environments. His death is being mourned deeply within the force.
As per CRPF officials, Kumar’s mortal remains are being transported to Ranchi, where a guard of honour will be accorded before being sent to his native village in Deoria for the final rites.
The incident underscores the extreme challenges faced by security forces in the Saranda region, which remains a key focus of counterinsurgency operations in Jharkhand.
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