In a tragic incident highlighting the grim reality of insurgency, three civilians were injured in a Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals in Bijapur district on Sunday evening. The victims—among them a 16-year-old girl—were reportedly foraging for mushrooms in a forest near Dhangol village when they inadvertently triggered a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites.
Chhattisgarh IED Blast by Naxals: What Happened?
According to the police, the Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals occurred under the jurisdiction of Madded police station. The injured have been identified as:
- Kavita Kudiam (16)
- Chidem Kanhaiya (24)
- Korse Santosh (26)
All three were immediately rushed to Bijapur district hospital after sustaining injuries to their legs and faces.
This is not the first time that such an incident has unfolded in the area. The Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals once again underscores the dangers lurking in the forests of the Bastar region, a hotbed of left-wing extremism for decades.
Naxal Strategy: IEDs on Forest Trails
The Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals is part of a known guerrilla strategy used by insurgents in this region. Naxalites often plant pressure-activated IEDs along dirt paths frequently used by security forces. These booby-traps are meant to target personnel during anti-Naxal operations.
However, civilians like Kavita, Chidem, and Korse often fall prey to these indiscriminate traps, especially when they venture into the forest for livelihood activities like collecting firewood, mushrooms, or medicinal herbs.
Repeated Civilian Casualties in Chhattisgarh IED Blasts by Naxals
The Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals is not an isolated case. In recent years, the Bastar region has seen a disturbing number of such incidents where civilians have been severely injured—or worse, lost their lives.
The use of pressure IEDs makes them extremely difficult to detect. While security forces employ mine detectors and bomb squads, civilians are left unprotected, increasing the chances of such tragedies.
The Victims: Innocent Lives Shattered
The victims of the Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals were engaged in the simple act of gathering mushrooms—a seasonal livelihood for many tribal families in the region. These villagers often depend on forest resources to sustain their daily needs.
Now hospitalized, they face long roads to recovery—physically, emotionally, and economically. The medical facilities in such remote areas often lack the infrastructure needed to deal with blast injuries.
Local Voices on Chhattisgarh IED Blast by Naxals
Villagers from Dhangol expressed outrage and fear after the incident. “We go into the forest just to survive. Now even that is dangerous. How do we live like this?” said one local resident.
Security forces have since launched a combing operation in the area to clear any more planted IEDs and to prevent another Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals.
Call for Better Protection in Conflict Zones
The Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals raises urgent questions about civilian safety in conflict zones. While the fight against extremism continues, the safety of local communities cannot be ignored. Better surveillance, community education about IED risks, and the use of technology like drones could mitigate such incidents.
Government Response to Chhattisgarh IED Blast by Naxals
As of now, there has been no formal statement from the state government. However, local police have assured increased patrolling and requested villagers to avoid isolated forest paths without coordination with security forces.
The Chhattisgarh IED blast by Naxals is another painful reminder of the ongoing insurgency and its toll on innocent lives. It is time for coordinated efforts from law enforcement, local governance, and civil society to ensure that such incidents do not keep recurring. The safety of civilians must become a parallel priority along with combating extremism.
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