Masked Assailants Target Central Coalfields Limited Facility in Late Night Attack
In a brazen act of violence, armed criminals carried out a coordinated attack at the Rajdhar siding within the Piparwar coal project of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Chatra district late on Thursday evening. The incident has sent shockwaves through the industrial security apparatus and raised serious concerns about law and order in the mineral-rich region.
Detailed Account of the Violent Incident
According to police reports, approximately seven to eight masked assailants descended upon the coal-loading facility around 10:30 pm. The criminals first targeted the operator of a JCB machine, forcing him to disembark at gunpoint in a display of intimidation. Subsequently, they fired between eight to ten rounds into the air, creating panic and chaos among the workers present at the site.
The situation escalated rapidly as the attackers doused the heavy machinery with petrol before setting it ablaze. The combination of gunfire and arson triggered what witnesses described as a stampede-like situation, with workers scrambling for safety amid the confusion and fear.
Security Response and Criminal Escape
Personnel from the State Industrial Security Force (SISF), who were deployed at the siding, immediately sprang into action. They took defensive positions and engaged with the assailants after the criminals refused to surrender. Officials later confirmed that the timely intervention by security forces prevented further destruction, as several other vehicles were parked in close proximity to the targeted machinery.
However, taking advantage of the cover provided by darkness, the attackers managed to flee toward the nearby forest area, evading immediate capture. Police teams later recovered empty cartridges from the scene, which are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Gang Claims Responsibility via Social Media Threat
A few hours following the violent episode, a press release surfaced on social media platforms, posted from a Facebook page operating under the name Azad Sarkar. The notorious Rahul Singh gang, which also goes by this moniker, claimed responsibility for the attack in their online declaration.
The social media post contained explicit warnings directed at coal transporters and local businessmen, demanding they manage their operations or face severe consequences. The threatening message specifically named a local contractor and extended its intimidation to workers at various sidings spanning from Khalari to Rajdhar, including locations at Bachra and Dakra.
Police Investigation and Area Security Measures
Senior police officials, including Tandwa SDPO Prabhat Ranjan Barwar, Piparwar police station officer-in-charge Abhay Kumar, and SISF company commander Jairam Singh, rushed to the scene upon receiving information about the attack. The law enforcement response was swift and comprehensive.
SDPO Barwar provided updates on the investigation, stating, "The entire area has been cordoned off and intensive raids are currently underway to apprehend those involved in this criminal act. We are simultaneously verifying the authenticity of the social media post that claims responsibility for the attack."
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by industrial security forces in protecting critical infrastructure in remote mining areas. It also underscores the evolving nature of criminal intimidation tactics, where traditional violence is now coupled with digital threats disseminated through social media platforms.
