A 15-year-old boy from a village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a leg, after accidentally triggering a Maoist-planted pressure IED on Monday morning. The incident occurred while the teenager was collecting forest produce for his livelihood.
Swift CRPF Action Saves Life
The explosion took place in the dense jungles of the Gangaloor region, approximately 4 to 5 kilometers from the Korcholi CRPF camp. Upon hearing the blast, a rescue team from the 222nd battalion of the CRPF immediately rushed to the location. The personnel provided crucial first aid at the scene, which officials say was vital in stabilizing the boy and preventing fatal blood loss.
The injured boy, identified as Ram Potam, a resident of Korcholi Nadipara, was later evacuated to the Bijapur district hospital for advanced treatment. A CRPF officer confirmed that the explosive device, a pressure IED, detonated when stepped on, resulting in catastrophic injuries to his leg.
Ongoing Menace in Civilian Areas
This tragic event underscores the persistent danger faced by local communities in conflict-affected zones. Police stated that Maoists often plant these improvised explosive devices on narrow paths, riverbanks, and approach tracks commonly used by both villagers and security personnel. Monday's blast occurred just a day after significant security operations in the region, which included the killing of 14 Maoists in Bijapur and Sukma and a major surrender in Telangana.
Security forces have intensified search and IED-detection operations across Gangaloor, Korcholi, and adjacent forest areas. These efforts are partly guided by intelligence from surrendered Maoist cadres who provide information on bomb-planting locations.
A Soaring Threat and a Collapsing Supply
The incident brings back focus on the acute vulnerability of civilians in remote Bastar villages to landmines and IEDs, despite continuous demining campaigns. The scale of the threat is evident in the numbers: security forces have recovered 875 IEDs in 2025 so far, a sharp increase from the 308 found in the entirety of 2024.
However, Bastar range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj interprets this surge as a sign of weakening Maoist influence. He noted that the high recovery rate reflects a collapse in Maoist supply lines and their reduced access to explosives, forcing them to use IEDs more defensively rather than in large-scale attacks.
Authorities have issued an advisory, urging villagers to exercise extreme caution while traversing forests and hilly terrain. The public is advised to report any suspicious objects or activities immediately to the nearest police station or security camp to prevent further tragedies.
