BHOPAL: A Hawk Force jawan, who was critically injured Sunday during a Maoist search operation in Kundul forest area of Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh, will have to live with a bullet lodged deep inside his skull.
Shivkumar Sharma was immediately evacuated from the region when joint forces of Hawk Force and police came under heavy fire from Maoists. He was rushed to a medical facility in Gondia, Maharashtra, where doctors are working to manage the swelling in his brain. His condition is stable, and doctors have advised against removing the bullet as any surgical intervention could put his life at risk.
Doctors said, Sharma was unconscious when he reached the hospital. “The bullet is lodged in a critical area and attempting to remove it could result in severe complications. We are closely monitoring his condition,” Siyaz KM, Commandant Hawk Force told TOI. Balaghat SP Nagendra Singh said his condition is stable, but it will take a couple of months for him to recover.
CM Mohan Yadav spoke to the doctors to receive updates on Sharma’s condition and promised all necessary support to the jawan and his family. He said state will cover the jawan’s medical expenses.
Sharma was injured in an encounter that took place after intelligence reports indicated the presence of Maoists from BNS division. Hawk Force team launched a search operation near Songudda outpost. As the team advanced, they came face-to-face with 12 to 15 armed Maoists, who opened fire. This prompted security forces to return fire. Following the attack, additional security forces have been deployed to intensify search operations in the region to track down the Maoists involved.