Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 19 (NationPress) A devastating incident unfolded in Kasturipad village located in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh when a young villager tragically lost his life after inadvertently stepping on a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) that had been planted by Maoist insurgents.

The victim, identified as 20-year-old Ayata Kuhrami, son of Budhra Kuhrami, was near the forest close to his village at the time of the explosion, as reported by police officials.

The deadly device detonated upon his unsuspecting step, resulting in severe injuries to both of his legs.

Despite immediate efforts to transport him to the hospital, Ayata tragically succumbed to his injuries en route, leaving the community engulfed in shock and mourning.

This incident underscores the persistent threat posed by Maoist militants in the area, who frequently target security forces with concealed explosives, often jeopardizing the lives of innocent civilians.

Pressure IEDs are typically placed along forest pathways and in secluded regions to ambush patrols, but their indiscriminate nature poses a continual threat to villagers who rely on these routes for daily tasks such as farming, gathering forest resources, or herding livestock.

In response to this incident, security forces have escalated search operations in the Usur police station jurisdiction.

Teams are actively conducting IED neutralization operations to locate and safely defuse hidden explosives within the forests of Bijapur.

Officials have reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring the safety of local residents while pursuing actions against the Maoist factions that remain operational in the district.

Authorities have also strongly urged the public to exercise extreme caution when traveling through forested and isolated areas.

They have advised individuals to promptly report any suspicious objects, activities, or materials to the nearest police station or security outpost.

This cooperation is deemed essential to avert further tragedies and bolster the fight against Maoist violence.

The tragic death of Ayata Kuhrami serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of insurgency in Bastar and its neighboring districts in Chhattisgarh.

While security forces persist in their efforts to dismantle Maoist networks, the loss of innocent lives remains a poignant reminder of the critical need to eradicate this threat entirely.

The Kasturipad community now grieves the untimely passing of a young villager whose life was abruptly taken by violence aimed at undermining peace in the region.