India: Maoist attack in Jharkhand June 26

Event

At least six members of the police special forces (Jharkhand Jaguar Force) were killed and others injured in an attack carried out by Maoist insurgents in the Chinjo area of Garhwa district (Jharkhand state) on Tuesday, June 26. Maoist insurgents reportedly detonated a landmine before opening fire at the security forces. Additional attacks by Maoist insurgents are possible in area in the coming days or weeks.

Context

Violent Maoist insurgents (Naxalites) have been active for several decades in rural areas of the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkand, Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal, as well as in the border region around Andra Pradesh. For this reason, restrictions on the movement of foreign tourists in rural areas have been put in place by local authorities. Several attacks have been reported in recent weeks: on May 24, an IED blast killed two soldiers in Puswada (Sukma district); on May 20, seven policemen were killed by an IED near the village of Cholnar, in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state.

Advice

Individuals in Jharkhand state are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities. Remain vigilant for potential militant activity, particularly if planning on traveling to rural areas of the abovementioned states.