2 SOG Jawans Injured in Suspected Maoist IED Blast in Odisha’s Kandhamal, Combing Operation Underway

Kandhamal: Two Special Operations Group (SOG) jawans sustained critical injuries today in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast suspected to be triggered by Maoists in Sirla forest, Kandhamal district. The incident occurred around 10 am during a combing operation by security forces searching for Maoist hideouts.

“The blast occurred while our SOG team was combing the dense forest under Tumudibandh police station limits. Two jawans were injured in the explosion,” confirmed Kandhamal Superintendent of Police, Suvendu Patra.

Patra further stated that the operation had been ongoing for the past two days based on intelligence indicating Maoist presence in the area. “Details about the blast will become clearer upon the return of the security forces engaged in the ongoing operation,” he added.

Following the explosion, combing operations have been intensified in the vicinity. Reports suggest an exchange of fire between the SOG jawans and the Maoist rebels is currently underway.