A CRPF jawan from Asansol died after an explosive device suspected to have been planted by Maoists went off in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

Sanjit Kumar Harijan, 32, the son of a retired Eastern Coalfields miner, had joined the central force in 2006 and was posted in four months ago. He is survived by his parents, wife and a 10-year-old daughter.

On Wednesday, Sanjit’s body was brought to the family’s Eastern Coalfields quarters in Asansol where neighbours, relatives and friends had converged.

Family members said Sanjit’s left foot brushed against the metal surface of a landmine during a combing operation in Sukma district’s Chintagufa forests, a known rebel stronghold.

“His legs and lower body were just gone,” a relative said based on the accounts of a fellow jawan who witnessed the incident. “He was rushed to a hospital in Raipur by chopper but was declared brought dead,” said a CRPF official.

Sources said the CRPF’s No. 150 Battalion had been leading the combing operation around 2pm on Tuesday when the blast occurred in the forests, 390km from Raipur.

“We spent many sleepless nights after my son was posted in Chhattisgarh. But my son used to assure us that all will be fine,” said Sanjit’s father Ram Audh Harijan, 65.

Sanjit’s mother Sonia and wife Saroj Devi stood over his lifeless body. His 10-year-old daughter Muskan was hunched over her father’s coffin, wailing.

“What have they achieved by killing my son? He was just doing his job,” said Ram Audh.

Later, a guard of honour was presented. Local Trinamul MLA Tapas Banerjee and senior CRPF and police officers of Asansol-Durgapur commissionerate were present on the occasion.

Sanjit had come home during Chhath last month. Bikash Kumar Jha, a friend of Sanjit, said: “I never imagined that it was my last meeting with him. He used to motivate local youths to join the armed forces and serve the country.”

MLA Banerjee said he would request chief minister Mamata Banerjee to provide assistance to the family.

“We are with the family in their toughest time. I will urge Didi to provide some help,” Banerjee said.