CRPF Jawan Praneshwar Koch martyred in Anti-Naxal Operation in Jharkhand

Guwahati: Praneshwar Koch joined CRPF in 2018, Koch, who is a commando in the 209 CoBRA elite battalion, was critically wounded in a joint operation deep in the thick Birhordera forest of Bokaro. The pre-dawn encounter, which started at about 5:30 AM as part of the Centre’s anti-Naxal operation Operation Sankalp, had troops from the CRPF, CoBRA, and Jharkhand Police. Two Maoists were neutralised in the firefight. Koch died despite being brought to Ranchi for treatment. During the encounter, security forces gunned down CPI (Maoist) sub-zonal commander Kunwar Manjhi, who carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh.

Meanwhile, his body was flown from Ranchi to Guwahati’s Airport, where a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held. Senior CRPF and Assam Police officers, jawans from their ranks and airport personnel also attended to pay their respects. From Guwahati, Koch’s body was brought to his hometown village in Kokrajhar. There, friends, neighbors, and villagers had gathered to receive their hero home for the last time, together in grief and pride.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also conveyed his condolences, calling Koch a “valiant son of Maa Bharati.” In his heartfelt message, he said: “A proud son of Kokrajhar, I bow to his supreme sacrifice and pray for the eternal peace of his soul. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. We stand firmly with the family of our martyr — now and always.”