Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 22 (HBTV): Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Giripunje died after sustaining serious injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district.

ASP Giripunje had been admitted to the Konta Hospital for treatment following the blast, but succumbed to his injuries. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma confirmed the development and paid tribute to the slain officer.

‘ASP Sukma, Akash Rao Giripunje, sacrificed his life after being injured due to an IED blast near Dondra on the Konta–Errabora road. He was a brave jawan and was given several gallantry awards. It is a sad moment for us. Search and operations have been launched,’ Sharma told reporters.

Earlier in the day, a pressure IED blast occurred near Dondra on the Konta–Errabora road. ASP Giripunje, who was part of the Konta Division, sustained critical injuries in the incident. Several other officers and jawans were also injured, according to Inspector General (IG) Bastar, P Sundarraj.

‘A pressure IED blast near Dondra on the Konta–Errabora road; ASP Konta Division, District Sukma, Akash Rao Giripunje sustained serious injuries. Some other officers and jawans have also been injured in this pressure IED blast,’ IG Sundarraj said in a statement.

He added that ASP Giripunje was on foot patrol duty to prevent any Naxalite-related incidents in view of the Bharat Bandh call issued by CPI(M) for June 10.

‘All the injured are being treated at Konta Hospital. Among the injured, the condition of ASP Akash Rao was very serious and critical. The other injured are currently out of danger. Efforts were on to shift Additional SP Akash Rao to a higher medical centre for better treatment,’ IG Sundarraj added.

(ANI)