Security Personnel Injured in IED Blasts During Anti-Maoist Operation in Chhattisgarh
In a significant security incident on the eve of Republic Day, eleven security personnel were injured in multiple improvised explosive device (IED) blasts during an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The injured jawans were promptly airlifted to Raipur for advanced medical treatment, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the region's counter-insurgency efforts.
Details of the Joint Operation and Blasts
The blasts occurred during a joint operation conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force's elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). Acting on intelligence about Maoist presence west of Usur in Bijapur, the operation targeted the Karegutta hills, a strategic area along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. This region is known to harbor Battalion 1 of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Although it remains unclear if Battalion 1 was directly involved in the IED attacks, sources indicate that this unit still maintains over 100 armed fighters, posing a persistent threat to security forces. The operation underscores the intensified efforts by security agencies to dismantle Maoist strongholds ahead of the Centre's deadline for eliminating the insurgency by March 31.
Injuries and Evacuation Efforts
Of the eleven injured personnel, ten are from the DRG, and one is a sub-inspector with CoBRA. The injuries varied in severity, with:
- Three jawans sustaining serious leg injuries.
- Three others suffering splinter injuries to their eyes due to the blasts.
- The CoBRA sub-inspector, identified as G D Rudresh Singh of the 201 Battalion, also incurred a serious leg injury.
Specific DRG jawans affected include Shailendra Ekka and Aiyatu Potam with leg injuries, and Sonam Kunjam, Ramesh Hemla, and Prakash Miccha with eye injuries. Despite the challenging terrain, all injured personnel were successfully evacuated via helicopter to Raipur for specialized care. A police officer confirmed that all are stable, conscious, and out of danger, emphasizing the efficiency of the rescue operation.
Broader Context of Maoist Conflict in Chhattisgarh
This incident adds to the volatile security landscape in Chhattisgarh, particularly in Bijapur district, which has been a hotspot for Maoist activity. In recent years, security forces have made significant strides, with over 500 Maoists neutralized in 2024 and 2025, and 20 gunned down this year alone. However, the conflict has also taken a heavy toll, resulting in the deaths of 42 security personnel and 117 civilians during the same period.
As the deadline for eradicating the Maoist insurgency approaches, most senior leaders of the banned group have been neutralized, with some surrendering and others fleeing the state. This operation reflects the ongoing push to secure remote areas and protect both security forces and civilians from Maoist violence, while addressing the complex socio-political factors fueling the conflict.
