Chhattisgarh IED blast kills 4 DRG jawans in Kanker de-mining op
Synopsis
Four DRG jawans — including a constable whose family was preparing for a 2027 wedding — were killed when a buried IED detonated during a de-mining sweep near the Kanker-Narayanpur border. The blast is among the deadliest single IED incidents targeting Chhattisgarh's Bastar Fighters in recent months, exposing the lethal cost of reclaiming Naxal-held terrain one landmine at a time.
Key Takeaways
Four DRG personnel were killed in an IED blast near the Kanker-Narayanpur border on 2 May 2025 .
The deceased have been identified as DRG In-charge Sukhram Vatti , Constable Krishna Komra , Constable Sanjay Gadhpale , and Constable Parmanand Korram .
Constable Parmanand Korram was airlifted to Raipur but succumbed to his injuries.
The team was conducting a search and de-mining operation under Chhotebethia police station jurisdiction in Kanker district .
Constable Sanjay Gadhpale's family had been preparing for a wedding in early 2027 ; he was brought home draped in the Tricolour .
The Chhattisgarh state administration expressed deep sorrow and further counter-IED operations are expected in the corridor.
Four District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during a search and de-mining operation near the Kanker-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh on Saturday, 2 May. The fourth jawan, Constable Parmanand Korram, succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to Raipur for advanced medical treatment, even as three of his colleagues had already lost their lives at the scene.
How the Blast Unfolded
The operation was being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Chhotebethia police station in Kanker district, where a dedicated team from the District Reserve Guard had been deployed for a critical sweep aimed at neutralising hidden landmines. The unit had advanced toward the Kanker-Narayanpur border when a buried IED detonated with immense force, reportedly shaking the surrounding terrain and inflicting life-threatening injuries on all four personnel present at the site.
Emergency protocols were immediately activated and the injured jawans were rushed for medical care, but the severity of the blast proved fatal for all four.
The Fallen Personnel
The four martyred soldiers have been identified as DRG In-charge Sukhram Vatti, Constable Krishna Komra, Constable Sanjay Gadhpale, and Constable Parmanand Korram. All four were part of the Bastar Fighters force, a specialised unit known for its pivotal role in maintaining security across Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected regions.
Notably, the personnel were engaged in a de-mining mission — a task that represents a constant, dangerous struggle to reclaim territory from hidden explosive threats planted by Naxalite groups.
A Community in Mourning
The human cost of the tragedy has been felt most acutely in the village of Constable Sanjay Gadhpale, whose family had been preparing for a wedding scheduled for early 2027. The constable was brought home draped in the Tricolour, bringing an abrupt and devastating end to those plans. Community members gathered to pay their respects to the fallen jawans, whose sacrifice drew widespread grief across the region.
State Response
The Chhattisgarh state administration expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, according to official statements. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by IEDs in the state's conflict zones, where security forces routinely conduct hazardous de-mining operations. This is among the deadliest single IED incidents targeting DRG personnel in the region in recent months.
Authorities are expected to intensify counter-IED operations in the Kanker-Narayanpur corridor in the wake of the attack.
Point of View
Composed largely of former Naxal-area residents and surrendered cadres, bears a disproportionate share of the operational risk in Bastar. Four deaths in a single IED detonation signals that Naxalite groups retain the capability and intent to target security forces with precision-planted explosives, even as the state claims steady operational gains. The question that demands scrutiny is whether counter-IED equipment and protocols have kept pace with the threat — or whether jawans are still sweeping some of the world's most dangerous terrain with inadequate protection.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kanker IED blast on 2 May 2025?
An IED buried in the ground detonated during a search and de-mining operation near the Kanker-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh, killing four District Reserve Guard personnel. The blast occurred within the jurisdiction of Chhotebethia police station in Kanker district.
Who were the jawans killed in the Kanker IED blast?
The four martyred personnel are DRG In-charge Sukhram Vatti, Constable Krishna Komra, Constable Sanjay Gadhpale, and Constable Parmanand Korram, all members of the Bastar Fighters force. Constable Korram succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to Raipur for treatment.
What is the District Reserve Guard (DRG)?
The District Reserve Guard is a specialised counter-insurgency force in Chhattisgarh, largely composed of local recruits and surrendered Naxalites, deployed primarily in Naxal-affected districts of the Bastar region. The DRG is known for conducting high-risk operations including de-mining sweeps.
Why are IED blasts common in this region?
Naxalite groups operating in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region routinely plant IEDs to target security forces conducting anti-insurgency and de-mining operations. The Kanker-Narayanpur border area is among the most sensitive corridors in the state.
What action is expected after the Kanker IED blast?
Authorities are expected to intensify counter-IED operations in the Kanker-Narayanpur corridor following the attack. The Chhattisgarh state administration has expressed deep sorrow and is likely to review operational protocols for de-mining teams in the region.
