Cobra battalion personnel injured in anti-Maoist operation

A Cobra battalion personnel sustained injuries in an encounter between security personnel and Maoist ultras in Riarda jungle under Arki police station of Naxal-affected Khunti district today, a senior police officer said.
The encounter started in the morning and was reported to be on as the security personnel surrounded some Maoists in the jungle, said DIG (Ranchi) Arun Kumar Singh.
Several rounds have been fired from both sides after the encounter began as soon as the joint anti-Naxal operation commenced in the bordering areas of Khunti-West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan districts, he said.
The injured Cobra battalion personnel of operator rank, A K Tripathy, was airlifted to Ranchi where he was admitted to a private hospital, Singh said adding Tripathy had received a bullet injury in his thigh and he was out of danger.

The DIG said the security personnel were still engaged in the jungle.