Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 26 (NationPress) A total of 11 security personnel sustained injuries when Maoists orchestrated a series of IED explosions in the Karregutta Hills region, located near the Bijapur-Telangana border in Chhattisgarh's Bastar area, as reported by police officials on Monday.

The coordinated blasts, which occurred on Sunday, specifically targeted a joint anti-Naxal operation unit comprised of members from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Chhattisgarh Police and the elite CoBRA unit of the CRPF.

Of the injured, reports indicate that ten individuals are affiliated with the DRG, while one belongs to CoBRA. All injured personnel were quickly evacuated and transported to medical facilities, where they are currently reported to be in stable condition following treatment.

The explosions happened in rapid succession during a search operation in the dense, mountainous terrain of Karregutta, according to police insiders who opted not to disclose further details at this time. They stated that comprehensive information would be made available later.

The Karregutta Hills have long been recognized as a significant stronghold for Maoists. The first explosion occurred on Sunday morning, followed by additional detonations throughout the afternoon, seemingly aimed at inflicting casualties and instilling fear just ahead of the national festival on January 26.

In response, security forces promptly initiated a large-scale search and recovery operation. Teams are actively combing the area to locate and neutralize any remaining IEDs planted by the insurgents.

This incident unfolds amidst intensified anti-Maoist initiatives in southern Chhattisgarh, where coordinated efforts by both central and state forces have increased pressure on Naxal groups.

The Karregutta Hills, which span the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, have seen a rise in activity recently, including previous confrontations and the establishment of new security camps in adjacent areas to enhance administrative presence.

The recent IED assaults seem designed to disrupt these advancements and intimidate security forces ahead of Republic Day celebrations, which have involved symbolic flag-hoistings in areas previously deemed inaccessible, according to police sources. Furthermore, the police department has issued a statement indicating that the flag-unfurling ceremony took place on Republic Day 2026.

Security forces marked a significant symbolic victory by unfurling the national Tricolour at a newly established security camp within the Karregutta Hills, a historic Maoist stronghold in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.

Located at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet, this hill has long been a critical sanctuary for Naxalites in the Bastar region. The act of unfurling the flag in this high-altitude Maoist core area symbolizes not only a ceremonial gesture but also a powerful declaration of India's sovereignty and the triumph of democracy over violence, as stated in the report.

The Karregutta Hills, which rise steeply along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, have been a focal point of extensive anti-Maoist campaigns that have resulted in significant setbacks for insurgent factions.