Chhattisgarh Shock: Senior Police Officer Killed, 3 Injured in Deadly IED Blast in Sukma
A senior police officer was killed and three others injured in a deadly IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. Authorities are investigating the attack amid rising tensions in the region.
In a tragic incident on June 9, 2025, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Girepunje was martyred in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The attack, attributed to Maoist insurgents, occurred near Dondra village on the Konta-Errabor road, an area known for Naxalite activity. The blast also resulted in injuries to three other police personnel.
The police team, including ASP Girepunje, was conducting a foot patrol in anticipation of a bandh called by Maoists on June 10. The IED, believed to be pressure-activated, detonated as the team passed the location. ASP Girepunje succumbed to his injuries at the Konta Hospital, while the other injured officers are receiving treatment.
A 2013-batch officer of the Chhattisgarh Police Service, ASP Girepunje had been serving in the Bastar region, a hotspot for Maoist insurgency. He was recognized for his dedication and bravery in combating Naxal activities. His untimely death has deeply affected the state police force and the community.
Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, Vijay Sharma, condemned the attack, describing ASP Girepunje as a “brave officer and a gallantry awardee.” He reiterated the government’s stance, emphasizing that the state does not wish to engage in violence but urges Naxalites to abandon their arms and join the mainstream for societal development.
This incident follows a series of Maoist attacks in the region. Between June 5 and 7, seven Naxalites, including two high-ranking leaders, were killed in an anti-Naxal operation in Bijapur district. The operation, involving the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), also led to the seizure of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
In response to the escalating violence, security forces have intensified their operations in the Bastar region. Combing operations are underway to apprehend those responsible for the IED blast and to prevent further attacks. The state government has assured the public of its commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.
The death of ASP Akash Rao Girepunje is a somber reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement personnel in conflict zones. While the government continues its efforts to address the Maoist insurgency, the loss underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that encompass both security and development to achieve lasting peace in Chhattisgarh.
An Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Chhattisgarh Police was killed in a pressure IED blast in the Kotna area of Sukma on Monday, a police officer said.
Three other officers, including a Station House Officer (SHO), a Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP), and another personnel, were injured and shifted to a government hospital in Jagdalpur. The ASP, along with others, was en route to inspect an incident in which vehicles engaged in construction work were set ablaze by Maoists.
Akash Rao Giripunje, the ASP, was a young and courageous officer from the 2016 batch of the state police service. He was leading the team in the highly sensitive, Maoist-dominated area when the blast occurred.
The ASP was rushed to a local hospital in Konta, where doctors declared his condition extremely critical.
Despite all medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The other officers and personnel sustained injuries in the explosion, but most of them are reported to be in stable condition. They are undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Konta.
The Maoists had called for a bandh on June 10 in protest against the recent killings of several top Maoist leaders during intense operations in the Bijapur region, including Central Committee member Sudhakar and Telangana State Committee member Bhaskar.
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