Godda district witnessed a high-stakes security operation Tuesday evening when CISF jawans foiled a massive cable theft attempt at Taljhari Mines under Lalmatia jurisdiction. Around 7:30 PM, nearly 45 hardened criminals descended on RS-16, encircling guards with lethal intent.
Armed with blades and other menacing weapons, the mob sought to sever and steal high-value cables under cover of dusk. But CISF’s Quick Reaction Team-3 member Pawan Kumar rose to the occasion. With split-second judgment, he unleashed a single aerial warning shot, shattering the attackers’ nerve and prompting a chaotic retreat.
Evidence left behind painted a vivid picture: a horse for quick getaway, a tricycle for maneuvering, ropes for cable bundling, and a damaged Bolero (JH17E7581) bearing the scars of the skirmish. Miraculously, the episode concluded without injuries to security forces or bystanders.
Regular QRT patrols compensate for the absence of a fixed CISF deployment, enabling this timely intervention. Cable theft remains a lucrative racket for syndicates, evolving tactics despite intensified checks. In response, mine security has been placed on high alert, with investigations underway to apprehend the escaped culprits.
This close call highlights vulnerabilities in remote industrial sites and the indispensable valor of frontline defenders like Pawan Kumar, whose actions preserved assets and prevented escalation.