Chhattisgarh: 5 kg IED neutralised near Narayanpur village by police, ITBP
Synopsis
A routine infrastructure project in a Chhattisgarh forest turned into a bomb-disposal mission when workers uncovering ground for electricity poles found a 5 kg pressure cooker IED near Kehnar village. The fact that it lay 7 km from a security camp — on a road being developed to connect remote communities — is a reminder of how Maoist explosive planting continues to shadow the state's development push in Narayanpur.
Key Takeaways
A 5 kg pressure cooker IED was recovered near Kehnar village , Narayanpur district , Chhattisgarh , on 4 November 2026 .
The device was found during excavation for electricity pole installation under the Kutul police help centre jurisdiction.
A joint team of Narayanpur Police and ITBP 41st Battalion BDS neutralised the IED on Farsabeda road , approximately 7 km from the Kutul camp.
The controlled explosion was supervised by SP Sandeep Kumar Patel , Additional SP Aishwarya Chandrakar , and SDOP Manoj Kumar Mandavi .
No casualties were reported; Narayanpur Police have urged residents to report suspicious objects immediately.
A joint team of Narayanpur Police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) safely neutralised a 5 kg pressure cooker-based improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from a forested, hilly stretch near Kehnar village in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, on 4 November 2026. The controlled operation was completed without casualties, underscoring the growing coordination between local and central security forces in the Maoist-affected region.
How the IED Was Discovered
The device came to light during excavation work for the installation of electricity poles in an area falling under the jurisdiction of the Kutul police help centre. Workers stumbled upon the suspicious object, prompting an immediate alert to security authorities. The discovery highlights the persistent threat posed by buried explosive devices in infrastructure development zones across Chhattisgarh's interior districts.
The Neutralisation Operation
A search team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Antu Potai, along with the district Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and the BDS unit of the ITBP's 41st Battalion, was deployed to the forested terrain along the Kehnar-Kutul route. The 5 kg cooker IED was recovered on the Farsabeda road, approximately 7 km from the Kutul camp. Following standard safety protocols, the ITBP Bomb Disposal Squad carried out a controlled explosion, successfully rendering the device inert. The entire team returned safely.
Senior Officers Supervised the Mission
The operation was led and supervised by Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Patel, Additional SP Aishwarya Chandrakar, and Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (Narayanpur) Manoj Kumar Mandavi. Officials emphasised that such operations are part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and secure infrastructure development across the district.
Public Advisory and Ongoing Vigilance
Narayanpur Police have appealed to residents to remain vigilant and urged them not to touch, examine, or attempt to remove any suspicious object found in forests, hilly areas, crossroads, or other public spaces. Instead, the public has been asked to immediately alert the nearest armed forces post or security personnel. Authorities have reassured their commitment to protecting civilians and infrastructure projects in Narayanpur, and monitoring of the area continues.
Point of View
One of Chhattisgarh's most sensitive districts. That the device was found 7 km from a security camp, buried along a road being built to connect remote communities, suggests deliberate targeting of development activity. The Centre's push to accelerate electrification and road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts has consistently drawn a counter-response; this incident is not isolated. The seamless ITBP-local police coordination here is commendable, but the broader question — why civilian workers are reaching dig sites before bomb-clearance sweeps — deserves an answer from district authorities.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the IED found in Chhattisgarh?
The 5 kg pressure cooker IED was found on Farsabeda road, approximately 7 km from the Kutul security camp, near Kehnar village in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh. It was discovered on 4 November 2026 during excavation work for electricity pole installation.
How was the IED neutralised?
The ITBP 41st Battalion Bomb Disposal Squad carried out a controlled explosion following standard safety protocols, successfully rendering the device inert. The joint team, which also included Narayanpur Police's district BDS, returned safely after the operation.
Who led the IED neutralisation operation in Narayanpur?
The operation was supervised by Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Patel, Additional SP Aishwarya Chandrakar, and Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Manoj Kumar Mandavi. The search team on the ground was led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Antu Potai.
Why is Narayanpur district significant for security operations?
Narayanpur is one of Chhattisgarh's most sensitive districts due to longstanding Left Wing Extremism activity. Security forces regularly conduct anti-IED and area-domination operations there, particularly along forest routes and infrastructure development corridors.
What should residents do if they find a suspicious object?
Narayanpur Police have advised residents not to touch, examine, or attempt to remove any suspicious object found in forests, hilly terrain, at crossroads, or in public spaces. They should immediately inform the nearest armed forces post or security personnel for timely action.
