LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Feb.12: A day after two CoBRA jawans sustained injuries after Maoists triggered IED in Lohardaga, a resident of Jharkhand working as Assistant Commandant of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was martyred in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh after getting trapped in an ambush laid by extremists today morning.
The martyred officer was identified as Shanti Bhusan Tirkey. He was originally a resident of Kesari Gobri Toli of Simdega. Presently he was living in Dibdih of Ranchi. He was survived by his wife Pushpa Tirkey, son Aniket and daughter Anisha. He did his graduation in Science. He joined CRPF on 25 February 2003. He was posted in 168 Battalion as Assistant Commandant on 4 August 2018.
A CRPF jawan accompanying Tirkey, Appa Rao, sustained injuries in the incident and stable.
Police sources said that the CRPF team from the “F” Company of 168th battalion today morning left for the road opening duty. At around 9.30 am, the rebels ambushed the party near Dongalchinta nullah, a few meters from Putkel village under Basagudu police station.
The rebels opened fire at the party. Sources said Tirkey was hit in the first burst as the jawans immediately took the position and retaliated. The befitting response from the CRPF jawans forced the rebels to retreat and slip into the forests.
The additional reinforcement had been sent to the spot even as a search operation was launched to track the fleeing rebels.
Road opening duty is considered important and is done before VIP movement and the starting of long-range patrolling. Road opening party is considered important as it paves path for safe movement. It detects and diffuses IEDs planted in the path of movement.
