Chaibasa. With the objective of further strengthening security arrangements in the Naxal-affected Saranda region of West Singhbhum district, CRPF Special DG Deepak Kumar arrived at the 193 Battalion camp located in Baliba village on Saturday. During his visit, he met with the personnel deployed at the camp, boosted their morale, and conducted a detailed review of the operations currently underway at the ground level. Staying at the camp for approximately two hours, he held discussions with officials regarding security strategies, operational challenges, and the needs of the troops.
Speaking to journalists following the inspection, the Special DG signaled a tough stance against the Naxals. He stated that the Naxals active in Saranda and the surrounding areas have been given a final opportunity—a one-month ultimatum—to surrender. If they fail to surrender within this period, security forces will take decisive action against them. He further asserted that operations have been intensified and that concrete results toward making the region Naxal-free are expected in the near future. According to officials, there are currently around 45 to 50 Naxals active in this area; however, no initiative to surrender has been received from any organization thus far.
Several senior officials were present during the visit, including IG Saket Kumar, STF IG Anoop Birthare, Ranchi DIG Satish Linda, CRPF DIG Vinod Kartik, Commandant Om Ji Shukla, and West Singhbhum SP Amit Renu. All the officials jointly reviewed the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the region and finalized the future strategy.
Meanwhile, an unexpected incident at the helipad caused a brief moment of chaos. Anil Biswal, a trooper from the Cobra 205 Battalion who was already suffering from malaria, suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. Colleagues and the medical team present at the scene immediately administered first aid and arranged for his evacuation via helicopter to receive advanced medical treatment. According to reports, a total of seven ailing personnel have been airlifted and sent for medical care. The situation of everyone is being monitored.
The Saranda region has long been considered sensitive to Naxalite activities. Due to dense forests and rugged terrain, conducting operations here poses a challenge for security forces. However, in recent years, ongoing sustained operations have led to a decline in Naxalite activities. Security agencies believe that if the intensity of these operations is maintained, the region could soon be rendered completely free of Naxalite influence.
