Chhattisgarh: 5-kg IED neutralised in Dantewada forest, Maoist plot foiled
Synopsis
A joint team of District Police, Young Platoon, and CRPF's 195th Battalion defused a 5-kg pressure cooker IED allegedly planted by Maoists near Hidpal village in Dantewada — a district that remains one of the most Naxalite-affected zones in India. The pre-emptive strike, driven by specific intelligence, averted what officials describe as a potentially devastating attack on security personnel and civilians.
Key Takeaways
A 5-kg pressure cooker IED was recovered and destroyed near Hidpal village , Dantewada , on 23 May .
The joint operation involved the District Police , Young Platoon , and the 195th Battalion CRPF Bomb Disposal Squad .
Operation ran from 5 am to 10.55 am under Second-in-Command Vikrant Verma and Assistant Commandant Sanjeev Kumar Yadav .
The IED was allegedly planted by Maoists to target security forces and terrorise local civilians.
No casualties or injuries were reported; all personnel returned safely to base.
Security forces in Chhattisgarh foiled a suspected Maoist attack on 23 May after recovering and destroying a pressure cooker IED weighing approximately five kg in the forested area near Hidpal village under the Barsur police station limits in Dantewada district. Officials said the timely neutralisation prevented what could have been a devastating attack on security personnel and civilians.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on specific intelligence inputs received on Saturday, a joint team comprising the District Police, the Young Platoon, and the Bomb Disposal Squad of the 195th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon and search operation in the hilly, forested terrain around Hidpal village. The operation commenced at approximately 5 am under the guidance of Second-in-Command Vikrant Verma and Assistant Commandant Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.
Teams moved carefully through difficult terrain, focusing on areas considered vulnerable to Naxalite presence and concealed explosive devices.
IED Located and Destroyed
At around 8.20 am, personnel spotted a suspicious object concealed within the forest. Following strict safety protocols, they immediately cordoned off the area and summoned specialists from the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS). Upon examination, the object was confirmed to be a pressure cooker IED allegedly planted by Maoists to target security forces and instil fear among local residents.
Using specialised technical procedures, the BDDS successfully neutralised and destroyed the device on the spot. No casualties or injuries were reported throughout the operation.
Area Domination and Clearance
Following the neutralisation, additional search operations were conducted in nearby sensitive areas to ensure complete area domination and rule out the presence of further hidden explosives. The entire operation concluded at approximately 10.55 am, with all officers and personnel returning safely to their base camps.
Context and Significance
Dantewada remains one of the most Maoist-affected districts in Chhattisgarh, which sits at the heart of the so-called Red Corridor. Security forces have intensified anti-Naxalite operations in the region in recent months, with IED recoveries and neutralisations increasingly forming a key part of the counter-insurgency strategy. Notably, pressure cooker IEDs have historically been among the most lethal devices deployed against security convoys in the region. This recovery adds to a growing list of pre-emptive successes that officials say are degrading Maoist operational capacity in Bastar and surrounding districts.
Point of View
But its deeper importance lies in what it signals: intelligence-led pre-emption is increasingly displacing reactive response in the Bastar theatre. Pressure cooker IEDs have historically been the weapon of choice for Maoist ambushes on security convoys — their neutralisation before detonation represents a meaningful shift in tactical advantage. Yet the persistence of such devices in the region also underscores that despite months of intensified operations and reported Maoist leadership losses, the capability to plant sophisticated explosives remains intact. The real measure of success will not be individual recoveries, but whether the frequency of IED plantings declines over the next several months.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was recovered during the Dantewada security operation on 23 May?
Security forces recovered and destroyed a pressure cooker IED weighing approximately 5 kg, concealed in a forested area near Hidpal village in Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh. The device was allegedly planted by Maoists to target security personnel and civilians.
Which security forces were involved in the Hidpal village operation?
The operation was a joint effort involving the District Police, the Young Platoon, and the Bomb Disposal Squad of the 195th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It was conducted under the guidance of Second-in-Command Vikrant Verma and Assistant Commandant Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.
Were there any casualties during the Dantewada IED neutralisation?
No casualties or injuries were reported. All officers and personnel returned safely to their respective base camps after the operation concluded at approximately 10.55 am.
Why is Dantewada considered a Maoist hotspot?
Dantewada is one of the most Maoist-affected districts in Chhattisgarh, located within the so-called Red Corridor. Security forces have intensified counter-insurgency operations in the Bastar region in recent months, with IED recoveries forming a key part of the strategy.
How was the IED detected and neutralised?
Acting on specific intelligence, security teams launched a cordon and search operation at 5 am. Personnel spotted the suspicious object at around 8.20 am, cordoned off the area, and called in the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), which destroyed the device using specialised technical procedures.
