Injured elephant dies after suspected Maoist IED blast in Saranda Forest

A six-year-old wild elephant named ‘Gadru’ has died from severe injuries likely caused by the blast of an IED planted by Maoists in the Saranda Forest, Chaibasa. The elephant was first seen wounded on June 27, three days after reportedly sustaining injuries.
Forest officials located the animal using a drone and initiated an intensive rescue effort involving teams from Jharkhand, Odisha, and the wildlife centre Vantara in Gujarat. Despite being tranquilised and transported to Jhariakela for treatment, the elephant succumbed late Saturday to internal bleeding and infection. Saranda Divisional Forest Officer Aviroop Sinha confirmed that a major injury to the hind limb had become infected and spread systemically. A post-mortem was scheduled for Sunday.
Experts suspect the injury may have resulted from a low-intensity Maoist capsule IED, consistent with recent patterns of insurgent tactics. Saranda remains a Maoist stronghold, with around 85–90 insurgents reportedly hiding in the jungle, which is heavily mined.
Since November 2022, Maoist IED attacks in the Kolhan region have killed six security personnel and 22 civilians, with over 30 others critically wounded. The investigation into Gadru’s death is ongoing.