Additional SP Akash Rao Giripunje killed; 2 Officers Injured in Maoists Blast

     Raipur, June 09, 2025: Sukma Additional SP Akash Rao Giripunje was today killed and at least two police officers were seriously injured in an IED blast carried out by Maoists in Konta area of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh.

     At about 9 AM Maoists triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, in which Konta Additional SP Akash Rao Giripunje was killed, where two other police officers were injured, Sukma District Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said.

     The incident took place when Giripunje, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) Bhanu Pratap Chandrakar and Konta Police Station Inspector In Charge Sonal Gawla with forces were on an operation, SP Chavan said.

     Giripunje was immediately rushed to the Konta Hospital, which is about 3.5 KM from the incident site.

     Despite all attempts Giripunje could not be saved, the police officer said.

     The incident took place in Dondra area, about 700 metre interior of the Konta-Sukma main road, Sukma SP said adding the place of blast was about 3.5 KM from the Konta Police Station.

     Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of ASP Akash Rao Giripunje in the IED blast.

     A battle is being fought by the security forces against the Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, in which the security forces are getting continuous success. Frustrated by this, the Naxalites are carrying out such cowardly acts, Chief Minister Sai said.

     “The Naxalites will have to bear the consequences of this. The day is not far now when their existence will be eliminated from Chhattisgarh,” he added.

     Expressing deep condolences to the family of martyr ASP Akash Rao Giripunje, the Chief Minister said that the state government stands with his family in this hour of grief.