Were 3 DRG Jawans Injured in IED Blasts During Anti-Maoist Operations in Karregutta Hills?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Raipur/Dantewada, Jan 25 (NationPress) Three members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) within the Chhattisgarh Police sustained injuries from two distinct Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonations on Sunday, during a persistent anti-Maoist cordon and search initiative in the treacherous Karregutta hills.
The occurrences took place on the boundary between Dantewada and Bijapur districts, which is notorious for being a Maoist stronghold characterized by its dense forests and challenging landscape.
Following specific intelligence regarding the presence of Maoist insurgents, a collaborative force including police from Dantewada and Bijapur, alongside units from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and DRG, initiated a significant encirclement operation early in the morning to eliminate insurgents from the inaccessible Karregutta area, as reported by police officials.
The first explosion transpired around 10 am, succeeded by a second blast in the afternoon at separate locations within the operational area. All three injured personnel are from the DRG and suffered injuries due to the powerful explosives planted by Maoists aimed at security forces.
Bijapur's Additional Superintendent of Police, Chandrakant Gavarna, verified the incident, indicating that the injured were swiftly evacuated from the scene.
They were airlifted by helicopter to a private medical facility in Raipur, the state capital, for advanced treatment. Their condition is currently under assessment, though initial reports suggest they are receiving prompt medical attention.
This recent attack occurs amid heightened anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's southern districts, where security forces have recently undertaken extensive drives to dismantle Maoist networks.
The Karregutta hills and surrounding areas have been the focus of previous offensives, resulting in significant recoveries of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, along with the neutralization of several insurgents.
Authorities suspect that the IEDs were strategically positioned by retreating Maoist forces to hinder the progress of security teams. The operation persists with increased caution, incorporating enhanced demining efforts and aerial surveillance to neutralize any remaining threats.
Police and senior officials have reaffirmed their dedication to eradicating Left Wing Extremism in the region, asserting that such cowardly actions will not disrupt ongoing initiatives to restore peace and development in the affected tribal areas.
Families of the injured have been notified, and support is being provided.