Not scared of dying for country, jawan killed in blast told family
Times of India | 24 March 2025
Midnapore: Whenever asked about the risks his job involved, Sunil Mondal (53), a sub-inspector of CRPF 193 Battalion, always told his family that the thought of sacrificing his life while serving his country did not scare him. But with a few years of active service left, his family always hoped his words would never come true.
They did, however, on Saturday when Mondal was killed in an IED blast in Jharkhand during an anti-Maoist operation.
Mondal's body is expected to arrive at his home in Goaltore's Gachupura village on Sunday night. The village has been in mourning since the news reached them. He leaves behind his wife, Krishna Mondal, and two children, a son and a daughter. Mondal had visited home for a family event just a month and a half ago and was actively involved in the community.
Police and CRPF jawans have already reached their home to give Mondal a gun salute before his last rites are conducted. West Midnapore SP Dhritiman Sarkar, too, is at the spot.
Mondal and another jawan, Partha Pratim Dey, were injured in an IED blast near Vangram Marangponga forest in West Singhbhum district's Chotanagra police station area during an anti-Maoist operation on Saturday. They were airlifted to Ranchi for treatment. Mondal later succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a private hospital. The condition of Dey, who is from Bankura, is said to be stable.
According to a PTI report, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar paid floral tributes to Mandal's mortal remains. A wreath-laying ceremony was held in honour of the slain jawan at CRPF's 133 Battalion headquarters in Ranchi. Speaking to reporters, Soren said: "The jawan's sacrifice will not go in vain. Maoists are frustrated as operations against them are gaining strength... the operations will continue."