Did NIA Charge a Key Maoist Suspect in the 2023 Dantewada IED Attack?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The NIA has charged Bandra Tati with multiple offenses related to the Dantewada IED attack.
- The attack resulted in the deaths of 10 DRG personnel and their driver.
- The investigation showcases the ongoing threat of Maoist insurgency in central India.
- Efforts to trace the supply chain of explosives are ongoing.
- The case highlights the need for enhanced security measures for personnel in conflict zones.
Raipur, June 18 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a chargesheet against a significant suspect in the IED (improvised explosive device) explosion that claimed the lives of 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) members and their civilian driver in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district in April 2023, as per an official announcement on Wednesday.
This attack, executed by operatives of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), stands out as one of the most lethal ambushes targeting security forces in recent times.
The individual accused, known as Bandra Tati alias Hunga, the son of Bhima Tati, is facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Explosive Substances Act, the Chhattisgarh Vishesh Jan Suraksha Adhiniyam, 2005, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as stated by the agency.
The NIA reported that Tati acted as the president of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangh (DAKMS), a recognized front for the CPI (Maoist), based in Acheli village of Dantewada.
Investigations disclosed that Tati played a vital logistical role in the incident, including the transportation of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) employed in the ambush.
The explosion, which transpired in Aranpur, was part of a broader scheme to steal weapons from security forces and instill terror among civilians.
The NIA indicated that Tati had procured explosive materials from senior Maoist leaders and had actively participated in planning meetings prior to the attack.
The case was initially handled by the Chhattisgarh Police, which filed charges against 26 individuals in 2023. The NIA assumed control of the investigation and re-registered the case on February 23, 2024.
Since then, the agency has been following leads to uncover the extensive network behind the attack. The April 2023 blast sparked widespread condemnation and underscored the ongoing threat posed by Maoist insurgents in central India.
The DRG personnel were returning from a counter-insurgency operation when their convoy was struck by a potent IED concealed beneath a dirt path.
The explosion created a significant crater and obliterated the vehicle, killing all passengers instantly.
The NIA has reaffirmed its dedication to dismantling the Maoist network and ensuring that all conspirators face justice.
Ongoing investigations aim to trace the supply chain of explosives and identify further operatives involved in the planning and execution of the attack.