Two Special Task Force (STF) jawans and a civilian driver sustained minor injuries on Sunday evening after narrowly escaping a deadly improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.
The attack, attributed to Maoist insurgents, occurred around 6 pm near Gorla Nala under the jurisdiction of Madded police station, roughly 36 kilometers from the district headquarters.
The incident unfolded as a team of STF personnel was returning to their base camp in a pickup truck following a search operation in the area. Maoists had planted a powerful IED—estimated by some accounts to be around 40 kilograms—along the route, targeting the vehicle. The explosion, which created an eight-foot-wide crater, missed a direct hit by mere seconds as the truck passed the detonation point.
The blast’s shockwaves and shrapnel injured two jawans and the driver, identified as Ritesh Bhaskar, aged 23. Despite the intensity of the attack, all three are reported to be out of danger after receiving initial medical attention in Madded.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav confirmed that the Maoists aimed to ambush the security personnel, with gunfire following the blast. However, the STF team effectively retaliated, preventing further casualties. “The vehicle narrowly avoided a catastrophic hit. The injured personnel are stable,” Yadav stated, highlighting the force’s resilience in the face of the assault.
This incident marks yet another episode in the ongoing conflict between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. The area has seen a surge in IED attacks, with this being one of several reported this year.
Earlier in January, a similar blast in Bijapur claimed the lives of eight DRG jawans and a driver, underscoring the persistent threat posed by insurgent tactics. The STF, trained to combat Maoist activities, continues to face significant risks as operations intensify to curb Naxalite violence in the state.
Authorities have bolstered security in the region, and efforts are underway to ensure the safety of personnel amid the challenging terrain and frequent ambushes. The injured jawans and driver are receiving further treatment, with officials vowing to press forward with anti-Maoist campaigns undeterred by such attacks.