Chhattisgarh: Security Forces Recover 8 IEDs Planted By Naxalites In Bijapur District

New Delhi: Eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly planted by Naxalites were found by security personnel close to a recently built camp in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, news agency PTI cited police as saying.

According to a senior official, the security forces’ camp was set up on February 13 in Gundem village under Tarrem police station limits. The explosives were discovered the following day during a de-mining operation conducted by security personnel in an adjacent forest area to locate IEDs. “The IEDs, packed in steel boxes, were found placed beneath the earth in forests, to target security personnel during their patrolling in the area,” PTI quoted the official as saying.

The official also confirmed that the Bomb Disposal Squad of the Bijapur police successfully neutralised the bombs.

According to PTI, during the set up of the camp on Tuesday, Naxalites initiated gunfire on security personnel who were involved in cordoning off the area, leading to an exchange of fire, the official said. Following a brief skirmish, the Naxalites managed to evade capture by retreating into the forested hills, he further added.

Additionally, security forces dismantled a Maoist memorial in Gundem. The camp was established in the heart of the Maoist stronghold to “facilitate developmental initiatives and ensure the safety of the local populace”. The official noted that Maoists expressed frustration at the presence of security forces in their core territory, the official said. 

Earlier, a team of security personnel, tasked with safeguarding a camp being established in Tekalgudem village in the Sukma district bordering Bijapur was targeted by Naxalites on January 30 this year. Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including two CoBRA commandos from its elite jungle warfare unit, lost their lives, while 17 others sustained injuries in that attack.

Security Forces Defused 15Kg IED Planted By Naxals

In a similar incident last month, security forces recovered and defused an IED which was planted by Naxalites to target the soldiers of 212 Battalion CRPF and District Force near Chhattisgarh’s Camp Potkapalli, reported news agency ANI.

The IED was planted to target the soldiers of 212 Battalion CRPF and District Force who were out on a joint operation from Camp Potakpalli of the Kistaram police station area, the news agency reported. The IED was defused on the spot during area domination drive by 212 Battalion CRPF and district forces.