RAIPUR: A 15-year-old boy was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. The explosion occurred in the wee hours of Monday, January 5 near Korcholi of Bijapur.
The injured youth Ram Potam, a resident of Nadipara of Korcholi village had gone to the nearby forest area on Monday morning, where he accidently stepped upon an IED planted by Maoists, triggering an strong explosion.
Potam sustained grave injuries in his left leg in the blast and was immediately rushed to the nearby security camp of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) where he was administered primary treatment. He was subsequently taken to Bijpaur district hospital where he is being treated.
IEDs planted on forest trails by Maoists to cause harm to security personnel often led to injuries to local villagers who regularly visits forest areas to collect forest produce. Such explosions in past have often resulted in fatal injuries to civilians, underscoring the grave threat posed by these IEDs.
A 24-year-old woman identified as Lakshmi Madvi had also sustained injuries in a similar explosion that occurred in Chunchkota village under the Farsegarh police station limits of Bijapur in December 2025.
Security forces on the other side have amped up search operations in Maoist-affected regions of the state. According to police, search operations launched in Bastar region have alone led to successful unearthing of over 800 such IEDs planted by Naxals in 2025.
Significantly, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region has long been marred by Maoist-insurgency. Forces in recent years, however, have achieved notable successes by gaining firm control over a number of Maoist’s previous strongholds.
Security forces in 2025 alone have gunned down over 255 Maoists in Bastar region. Intensified campaign in the regions was followed by rapid extension of security cover with installation of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) or security camps at key locations.
The tightening grip of security forces have also led to surrender of over 1500 Maoists in the state in 2025. Notably, the Union Government has announced a deadline to eliminate Maoist-insurgency from the country by March 2025.
