In Jharkhand, Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik of the 209 CoBRA Battalion was seriously injured in an IED blast during an anti-Naxal operation in the Saranda forest of West Singhbhum district. The joint search operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of Naxals when a pressure IED exploded during the exercise. The injured officer was evacuated from the spot, given primary treatment, and airlifted to Ranchi for advanced medical care. Following the incident, security forces cordoned off the area, intensified the search operation, and deployed additional forces.