Bijapur: During an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh, two commandos were injured by an IED explosion

Bijapur: Two commandos from the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) squad of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) suffered minor injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonation, underscoring the ongoing danger of Naxalite tactics in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

The explosion happened on Monday in the Bijapur district, a notorious Naxal-affected region, in the thick woods of the Pillur-Kandlaparti area, which is inside the boundaries of the Farsegarh police station.

While executing an area dominance and anti-Naxal search operation, a combined team consisting of members from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), both state police units, and CoBRA commandos unintentionally set up a pressure-activated IED placed by Maoists.

The explosion occurred when the patrolling squad was enclosing the wooded area, according to police authorities. The issue was quickly brought under control thanks to the prompt action of other staff members.

After receiving immediate first assistance, the wounded CoBRA commandos were either flown or sent to a hospital in the state capital of Raipur for more sophisticated care.

According to authorities, the wounded workers are stable and not in danger, and their injuries are considered mild.

According to security officials, the team’s expertise and attention to detail prevented a potentially catastrophic event due to the low severity of the injuries.

In the interior areas of the Bastar division, which includes seven districts, including Bijapur, Maoists often plant IEDs along highways, dirt trails, and forest pathways to ambush security personnel on patrol. In the past, such bombs have killed both soldiers and civilians, highlighting the rebels’ asymmetric warfare strategies in the face of escalating anti-Naxal operations.

Ten Maoists from the Darbha division recently surrendered to security authorities in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, marking a major victory in the battle against the Naxal insurgency. The total prize for the cadres who turned themselves in was Rs 33 lakh, and Medium Bhima alone was carrying a payoff of Rs 8 lakh.