Raipur/Bijapur: Eight jawans and a driver were killed in a powerful landmine explosion in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, on Monday. The IED blast occurred near Ambeli Nallah, on the Kutru-Vedri Road, a region which gained notoriety across the nation for high Maoist activities.
The blast was so intense that it created a 10-foot crater in the road, and the vehicle carrying the jawans was hurled into the air. Its debris was found hanging on trees 25 feet above the ground.
Eight jawans of District Reserve Guard (DRG), along with the driver, lost their lives in the attack. The landmine was detonated while the police party was returning to Bijapur after a joint anti-Maoist operation.
The explosion occurred around 2:15 PM near Ambeli village, located about 40 kilometers from the district headquarters. Inspector General (IG) of Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, confirmed the incident, stating that the blast occurred after the operation was completed.
A rescue team was promptly dispatched to the site. Security forces later secured the area and recovered the weapons of the martyred jawans. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation. State leaders, ministers, and opposition figures expressed their condolences.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating, "Today, 8 of our jawans and a driver have been martyred in the IED blast. I bow to their martyrdom and offer my heartfelt tribute. Their sacrifice will not be in vain. The Naxalites are growing desperate as they are being defeated continuously and resorting to cowardly acts. Soon, Naxalism will be eradicated from Chhattisgarh, and peace will be restored."
Notably, in an anti-insurgency operation held on Saturday night, five armed Naxals and DRG Head Constable Sannu Karam were killed in a fierce encounter between Maoists and a joint security forces team in the Abujhmad forest, Narayanpur district.
List of Martyred Jawans
· DRG HC 957 Budhram Korsa, Father: Shri Pandu Korsa, Village: Bade Tungali, Post: Thana Jangla, District: Bijapur
· Bastar Fighters C/1329 Somdu Vetti, Father: Shri Sannu Vetti, Village: Parcheli Bandipara, Thana: Katekalyan, Tehsil: Katekalyan, District: Dantewada
· Bastar Fighters C/1332 Sudarshan Vetti, Father: Shri Asha Ram, Village: Post: Gumalnar Girsapara, Thana: Geedam, Tehsil: Geedam, District: Dantewada
· Bastar Fighters C/1389 Subarnath Yadav, Father: Shri Sridhar Yadav, Village: Post: Chhote Tumnar, Thana: Geedam, Tehsil: Geedam, District: Dantewada
· Bastar Fighters C/1229 Harish Korram, Father: Gondu, Address: Gadhmiri, Post: Nakulnar, Thana: Kuakonda, Tehsil: Kuakonda, District: Dantewada
· DRG C/263 Dumma Markam, Father: Shri Aytu Markam, Village Panchayat: Madkamiras, Post: Gumiyapal, Thana: Kirandul, Tehsil: Bade Bacheli, District: Dantewada
· DRG C/1098 Pandru Ram Poyam, Father: Late Shri Joga Poyam, Village: Kawadgaon Reemapara, Post: Kawadgaon, Thana: Katekalyan, Tehsil: Dantewada, District: Dantewada
· DRG C/1453 Baman Sodhi, Father: Late Shri Hadma Sodhi, Village: Karkawada, Post: Nelsonar, Thana: Bangapal, Tehsil: Bhairamgarh, District: Bijapur
· Vehicle Driver (Civil) Tuleshwar Rana, Village: Arapur, Jagdalpur
