CRPF Jawan from Assam Killed in Naxal Gunfight in Jharkhand

In the early hours of Wednesday, a braveheart from Assam laid down his life in the service of the nation during a fierce encounter with Maoist insurgents in Jharkhand. CT/GD Parneswar Koch, a jawan of the CRPF’s elite CoBRA battalion and a native of Magur Mari village in Kokrajhar district, was martyred while participating in an anti-Naxal operation in Bokaro district.

The deadly encounter unfolded around 5:30 AM in the dense Birhordera forest under Gomia Police Station limits. The operation, a part of the Centre's intensified crackdown on left-wing extremism under Operation Sankalp, involved personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA unit, and Jharkhand police. According to officials, two Maoists were neutralised during the exchange of fire.

Inspector General (Bokaro Zone) Kranthi Kumar Gadidesi confirmed the fatalities, adding that combing operations are ongoing in the area. Bokaro Superintendent of Police Harvinder Singh said the identities of the slain Maoists were yet to be verified.

Koch’s martyrdom marks yet another sacrifice in the nation’s war against Maoist insurgency. He was posted with the 209 CoBRA battalion — an elite commando unit specially trained for jungle warfare and counterinsurgency operations.

Following confirmation of his identity, Director General of the CRPF, GP Singh, paid a heartfelt tribute to the fallen jawan via social media platform X. In a deeply moving message, he wrote:

“CT/GD Praneswar Koch, of Vill - Magur Mari, Distt: Kokrajhar, Assam, posted to 209 CoBRA, CRPF, attained martyrdom this morning in an Anti-Naxal Operation where two Naxals were also neutralised. Entire CRPF family would remember his sacrifice and re-dedicate ourselves to eliminate the scourge of Naxalism from our country. Rest in Peace, Brother.”

CT/GD Praneswar Koch, of Vill - Magur Mari,
Distt: KOKRAJHAR, ASSAM, posted to 209 CoBRA, CRPF attained martyrdom this morning in an Anti-Naxal Operation where two Naxals were also neutralised. Entire CRPF family would remember his sacrifice and re-dedicate ourselves to eliminate… pic.twitter.com/8Pg3OaPC48

— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) July 16, 2025

Echoing this sentiment, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed his condolences, calling Koch a “valiant son of Maa Bharati.” In a statement shared on social media, the Chief Minister wrote:

“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.”

शहीद को श्रद्धांजलि 🇮🇳

Assam's braveheart and Maa Bharti's son CT/GD Parneswar Koch of Kokrajhar attained martyrdom fighting naxals in Jharkhand, early this morning.

The people of Assam salute his sacrifice and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family.

We will always be…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 16, 2025

The Chief Minister also praised Koch’s courage and vowed that the state would support his family in every possible way. 

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