Tirilposhi, July 9: An injured elephant has been spotted near the check dam in Tirilposhi, deep inside the Saranda forest, sparking fresh concerns over wildlife safety in the region.

According to local sources, the elephant sustained a serious leg injury, believed to be caused by a powerful landmine explosion—more severe than a previous incident involving another elephant. A large tusker has been seen accompanying the injured animal, making rescue efforts difficult. Villagers who discovered the elephant early this morning alerted the Forest Department.

However, they reported that whenever they tried to approach the injured animal, the tusker became aggressive and charged at them, preventing any assistance. Forest officials are now attempting to drive the tusker away to safely reach the wounded elephant.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the area. On June 27, five tons of explosives were looted from a stone quarry in the region, and one ton remains unaccounted for. Authorities suspect that Maoist groups are continuing to plant landmines in the forest, endangering both security personnel and wildlife.

Efforts are underway to locate and treat the injured elephant, while forest officials remain on high alert due to the ongoing threat of explosives in the area.