Sukma: A senior police officer was killed and a few other security personnel were injured when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Naxals exploded in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday.
Konta Division Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Akash Rao Girepunje was killed in the blast, while SDPO Konta Bhanupratap Chandrakar, and Police Station Konta Incharge Sonal Gwala were left grievously injured, officials said.
The ASP and other officers were out on foot patrolling when the incident took place near Dondra village on Konta-Errabor road, Bastar IG Sundarraj P said.
"ASP Akash Rao Girepunje was out patrolling along with other officials on Konta Errabor Road when the IED planted by Maoists exploded near Dondra. The ASP, SDPO Konta Bhanupratap Chandrakar, and Police Station Konta Incharge Sonal Gwala were injured. Additional SP Girepunje was critically injured and had received grievous injuries in his legs. He succumbed during treatment. The other two officers are out of danger. They are being shifted to Raipur for better treatment," the IG said.
The 42-year-old ASP, who hailed from Raipur district, was recruited as deputy superintendent of police in 2013. He was serving as ASP, Konta since 2024. He was one of the bravest personnel of the Chhattisgarh police who served in Naxal-affected areas like Manpur-Mohla and Sukma, an official said. The mortal remains of Girepunje were being shifted to Raipur where the last rites and guard of honour will be held, he added.
सुकमा जिले के कोंटा में नक्सलियों द्वारा किये गये आई ई डी विस्फोट में ए.एस.पी. आकाश राव गिरपुंजे जी के शहीद होने की सूचना प्राप्त हुई है। यह अत्यंत ही दुखद है। मैं उनकी शहादत को नमन करता हूँ ।
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) June 9, 2025
इस कायरतापूर्ण हमले में कुछ अन्य अधिकारी व जवानों के भी घायल होने की खबर है।…
He also said that the incident took place between 9 and 10 am. The patrolling was launched in view of a bandh called by Naxalites on Tuesday, the official said.
CM Sai Expresses Grief, Says Naxalists Will Face Consequences
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the death of ASP Girepunje and said Naxalites will have to face its consequences.
Sai in a post on X said, "Received information about the martyrdom of ASP Akash Rao Girepunje ji in the IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Konta of Sukma. This is extremely sad. I salute his martyrdom. There are reports of some other officers and jawans also being injured in this cowardly attack. Instructions have been given to ensure proper treatment of the injured."
"Security forces have been fighting a big battle against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh and achieving continuous success in it," he said. "Frustrated by this, Naxalites have carried out such cowardly acts and they will have to face its consequences. The day is not far when their existence will end in Chhattisgarh," he added.
"The Chhattisgarh government, police, all citizens and the police family stand firmly with the family of martyr Girepunje in this hour of grief. His sacrifice will further strengthen our commitment to completely destroy a cruel and conspiratorial organisation like the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," a police statement said.
"ASP Girepunje was martyred in the blast. He was a brave officer and was a gallantry awardee," Deputy CM Vijay Sharma said in Nagpur. "If a situation for talks (between Naxalites and the government) is created somehow, it ends with such incidents (referring to the blast)," he said.
"The government has clarified that it does not want to fire a single bullet, but they (Naxalites) should join the mainstream, take benefits of the rehabilitation scheme and contribute to the development of the society and the nation, Sharma said.
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