New Delhi: An SSB Jawan was martyred in an encounter with naxals in Dumka district of Jharkhand, while four other jawans have been injured in the exchange of fire. A critically injured jawan was shifted to the state capital Ranchi by a helicopter.

An encounter broke out between Maoists and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) I forests of Taldangal in Dumka district on Sunday, a senior police officer said.

A search operation was going on when Maoists opened fire on jawans around 3.30 AM, Superintendent of Police Y S Ramesh said.

He said "as per our information 4-5 Naxals have been shot




He said in the retaliatory action, at least five Maoists received bullets as they retreated into the forest.

SSB jawan Niraj Chetri was killed while Rajesh Kumar Rai, Sonu Kumar, Satish Gujar and Karan Kumar were injured, he said.

While Rai was airlifted to Ranchi for treatment, others were admitted to the Dumka Sadar Hospital, the police officer said.


This is a developing story; will be updated as further information is received.

(with inputs from agencies)