Bastar, Chhattisgarh – A routine patrol by security forces turned tragic on Monday morning when an improvised explosive device (IED), planted by Maoists, went off in the dense forests of Bijapur district.
The explosion occurred near Bhopalpatnam, close to the Indravati National Park, as the jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were combing the area. According to officials, the team accidentally stepped on the hidden explosive, triggering a powerful blast.
Four personnel sustained injuries in the incident. One of them, identified as Dinesh Nag, succumbed to his injuries while being shifted for treatment. Nag was a member of the DRG, a special unit of the state police formed to counter Maoist insurgency.
The three others injured were quickly evacuated and given medical assistance. Police sources confirmed that their condition is currently stable.
This incident highlights once again the persistent threat of Maoist-planted landmines and IEDs in the Bastar region, a hotspot of left-wing extremism where security forces continue to face grave risks during anti-Maoist operations.
