CRPF jawan dies of snake bite in Saranda Forest during anti-Maoist opertion

A CRPF constable lost his life to a snake bite during an anti-Maoist operation in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum, highlighting the risks security personnel face in India’s Red Corridor.

Constable Sandeep Kumar, as part of the 209 Cobra Battalion, was on a search operation in Chhota Nagara when he was bitten by a venomous snake. He was quickly evacuated and admitted to a hospital in Kolebira, but he later died during treatment. His body is being taken to Ranchi for a ceremonial farewell before being sent to his native village.

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“The jawan was evacuated after the incident from the jungles and admitted to a hospital, but unfortunately his life could not be saved,” said Chaibasa SP Amit Renu.

Kumar, a resident of Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, had participated in several anti-Maoist drives in Jharkhand and faced combat risks in his years of service. His death came not from an encounter with Maoists but from the forests themselves, showing that environmental hazards can be as lethal as armed insurgents.

This is likely the second death of a CRPF personnel from snake bite in Saranda. Several jawans have also succumbed to malaria, scorpion stings, and lightning strikes during operations in the region. Security officials acknowledge that these natural hazards have claimed more lives than direct Maoist attacks in some cases.

Saranda covers nearly 800 square kilometers of iron-rich hills and dense sal forests and has long been a Maoist stronghold. For deployed units, the jungle itself can be hostile. A senior officer said, “The bullets are not as relentless as the insects, snakes, and diseases we face every day in Saranda.”

The death of the constable is a stark reminder of the dual battles security forces face in Jharkhand’s forests, against both armed insurgents and the forces of nature.