New Delhi: A senior police official was killed and some officers were injured in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district when an explosion took place due to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by the local Naxalites on Monday.
The incident took place when Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Konta Division) Akash Rao Girepunje and other personnel were out on foot patrolling on Konta- Errabor road of Donda village. The patrolling was planned significantly for a bandh spearheaded by the local Naxalites.
An official said that along with the ASP, several other officials and personnel suffered injuries in the blast. The injured officials were admitted to Konta Hospital, where ASP succumbed to injuries.
South Bastar counter-insurgency operations
The attack took place days after the state police carried out a major operation against the Naxalites of the area. A total of 18 Naxals, including four members of the notorious Battalion No. 1, surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, on May 27, 2025. The surrender was officially determined by the State government’s rehabilitation programme Niyad Nellanar.
The operation is a significant achievement for the official fight against the Naxalites. South Bastar is historically known for its Naxal presence for years. The police officials mentioned that the four Naxalites who surrendered were actively involved in four separate Naxal battalions.
ASP martyred
ASP Akash Rao Giripunje was on foot patrol in the area to prevent any Naxalite incident in view of the call for Bharat Bandh by CPI(M) on June 10. All the injured are being treated at Konta Hospital. The other injured are currently out of danger. ASP Akash Rao died during treatment. Searching has been intensified in the area since the incident.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also condoled the demise of ASP Akash Rao Giripunj, saying: “ASP Sukma Akash Rao Giripunj has attained martyrdom after being critically injured in an IED blast near Dondra on the Konta-Erabore road. He was a brave officer who had been honoured with several gallantry awards. This is an immense loss for us. Search and combing operations have been launched in the area.”
