A tragic lightning strike claimed the life of a CRPF officer, M Prabo Singh, and severely injured Assistant Commandant Subir Kumr Mandal, along with two Jharkhand Police personnel, during an anti-Maoist operation in a forested area of the district.
The incident occurred on Thursday at 5:30 PM in Keriburu village, amid heavy rainfall. Singh, a second-in-command officer of the 26th battalion, was stationed at a CRPF security outpost when the lightning struck. His colleague, Mandal, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Tata Main Hospital in Noamundi.
Weather conditions impeded immediate evacuation efforts, creating challenges for rescue teams. Singh hailed from Manipur, while Mandal is a native of West Bengal. The officers were leading a joint task force of CRPF and Jharkhand Police in operations against Maoist insurgents in the dense forest region.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident and have extended condolences to Singh’s family.
