Tragedy Strikes in Saranda Forest
A devastating explosion claimed the life of a teenage girl and left two women with serious injuries in West Singhbhum district on Friday. The incident occurred when the victims accidentally triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while returning from the forest where they had gone to collect firewood and leaves.
Victims Identified, Condition Critical
The deceased has been identified as Phulo Dhanwar, aged 16, who suffered fatal injuries and died on the spot. The injured women are Salimi Dhanwar (30) and Birsi Dhanwar (35), both residents of Kolbanga village under the Jaraikela police station limits. According to West Singhbhum SP Amit Renu, "Two of the women are seriously wounded as of now, and unfortunately, one has already succumbed to her injuries."
Maoist Connection Confirmed
Police investigations revealed that the IED was planted by Maoists primarily to target security forces operating in the region. The teenage girl inadvertently stepped on a pressure-triggered device, causing the immediate explosion. The injured women have been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Manoharpur block for emergency treatment.
The victims were part of a larger group of approximately 13 women from Kolbanga village who had ventured into the Lebragarh stretch of the Saranda forest to gather firewood. Police authorities confirmed that the exact number of women present during the incident is still under investigation.
This tragic event marks another fatal incident in the conflict-ridden Saranda forest area. Earlier, on October 28, a 10-year-old girl lost her life in an IED explosion on the Digha-Tilaposi stretch of the same forest. Shockingly, between 2023 and November 2025, nine villagers have died and over a dozen have sustained injuries in similar IED blasts throughout the Saranda forest region.
The recurring incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges in the area and the tragic consequences for local villagers who rely on the forest for their daily needs, often finding themselves caught in the crossfire between security forces and extremist groups.
