Bijapur Naxal Attack Today: Eight Security Personnel Killed in IED Blast

Bijapur, Chhattisgarh:

Bijapur Naxal Attack Today: Eight security personnel and one civilian were killed after Naxalites detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on the Bedre-Kutru Road in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred on Monday, as per police reports.

Among those killed were jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a specialized unit of the Chhattisgarh Police, who were returning after a grueling anti-Naxal operation in Narayanpur district. Tired after four days of trekking through dense jungles, the jawans had boarded a pickup vehicle to return. About 20 personnel were in the vehicle when the explosion took place.

Rescue Operations Underway

Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav rushed to the spot immediately, where rescue operation is still on to evacuate injured personnel.

Narayanpur Encounter Links

The DRG team had recently concluded an encounter with Naxalites in the Narayanpur region. During the operation, the bodies of five Naxalites, including two women in uniform, were recovered. Police believe these Naxalites were senior cadres of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) PLGA Platoon No. 32.
Dantewada DRG Head Constable Sannu Karam lost his life in the same incident. Security forces seized highly potent weaponry, like the AK-47 and a self-loading rifle from among the slain.

Joint teams from the DRG of Dantewada, Narayanpur, Bastar, and Kondagaon districts with the STF have further heightened counterinsurgency operations following the attack on the Abujhmad area, known as a stronghold for Naxalites.

Background

The attack highlights the constant threat of Naxalite insurgents in Chhattisgarh, particularly in areas like Bijapur and Narayanpur. These are still hotspots of Naxal activity despite continuous operations, posing challenges to law enforcement and development initiatives.
Updates on the condition of the injured personnel and identification of the deceased are awaited as investigations continue.