Bijapur/Narayanpur/Raipur, January 11, 2025 – A CRPF head constable was injured in an IED blast on Saturday morning in Bijapur district, believed to have been planted by Maoists. The injured jawan, Rakesh Kulur, was immediately evacuated and admitted to the district hospital for treatment.
According to a statement from the Bijapur Police Station, a team from the CRPF’s 196 Battalion was conducting area domination in the Mahadev Ghat forest when the blast occurred. The pressure IED, planted by Maoists, caused the injury. Head Constable Kulur was the only casualty in the attack and is currently receiving medical care.
In a related development, a joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Border Security Force (BSF), and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) made a significant discovery in Narayanpur district on Friday. The team recovered four IEDs hidden by Maoists along the Kachchapal-Toke road in the Kohkameta police station area.
Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar confirmed that the IEDs, weighing over 5 kilograms each, were intended to target security forces during area domination operations. The BDS team successfully defused the explosives after locating them in the forest along the Kachchapal-Kutul main road.
The recovery comes just a day after a cattle was severely injured in a similar explosion on January 10, near the same area. Two villagers narrowly escaped harm, further underscoring the danger posed by the Maoists’ tactics in the region.
Security forces are continuing their operations to locate and neutralize additional IEDs, as part of an ongoing effort to safeguard civilians and security personnel from such attacks. The Maoist presence in the region remains a significant challenge for local authorities, who are focused on dismantling explosive devices and restoring security.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, particularly in remote forested areas, and the challenges faced by security forces in their efforts to maintain peace and stability.