Synopsis
A CRPF jawan was injured in an IED blast during an anti-Maoist operation in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. The injured soldier was airlifted for advanced treatment after initial care. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, especially following recent encounters with Maoist insurgents.Key Takeaways
- A CRPF jawan was injured by an IED in Dantewada.
- The IED was reportedly planted by Maoists.
- The injured soldier was airlifted for advanced medical care.
- Security forces are on high alert following the incident.
- Recent encounters have resulted in multiple Maoist casualties.
Dantewada, Feb 11 (NationPress) A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion close to Kamalpost in the Aranpur area of Dantewada on Tuesday morning, as reported by officials.
The incident transpired while members of the CRPF's 231 Battalion were engaged in an anti-Maoist search operation in the vicinity. During their patrol, an IED—presumed to have been placed by Maoists—was triggered, resulting in a leg injury to one of the jawans.
Immediately after the explosion, the injured soldier was transported to the Dantewada District Hospital for urgent medical care. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was subsequently airlifted to Raipur using an M-17 helicopter from the Karli helipad for specialized treatment.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) R.K. Burman verified the occurrence and stated that the security forces are on high alert in the region to avert additional assaults.
This explosion follows closely on the heels of a significant clash between security forces and Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, where 31 Maoists were eliminated during a fierce gunfight in the dense forests of Indravati National Park.
Two security personnel were killed during that operation, with two others sustaining injuries.
Additionally, the security forces retrieved a substantial cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, Self Loading Rifles, INSAS rifles, and grenade launchers from the encounter site.
The Chhattisgarh Police reported that this year alone, 49 Maoists have been neutralized in various encounters, with 33 of those fatalities occurring in the Bastar division, which encompasses seven districts, including Bijapur.
On January 20-21, 16 Maoists were killed in a confrontation with security forces in Gariaband district of the Raipur division.
Last year, 219 Maoists were neutralized by security forces during various encounters across the state, according to police records.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously stated that Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the nation will be eradicated by March 2026.
As a result, security forces have intensified operations in the Bastar region, a long-standing stronghold of Maoist activity.
