The fight against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh continues, with security forces finding three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Naxal-affected Sukma district on Monday. The discovery highlights the ongoing threat posed by Maoist rebels in the region.
During a security operation, a team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite CoBRA unit found two tiffin IEDs, weighing 5 kg and 3 kg respectively, in separate locations. Meanwhile, a joint team of CRPF’s D-50 battalion and the district force discovered a third IED, weighing 8 to 10 kg, planted under a road near Dabbakonta and Pentapad nullah. All three devices were safely defused by a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS).
This discovery comes on the heels of a disturbing incident on Saturday where Naxalites allegedly killed a 25-year-old man, Dodi Arjun, in Sukma. Arjun, a temporary school teacher known as a “shiksha doot,” was suspected of being a police informer. He was reportedly held captive and killed after a kangaroo court by the Maoists. His murder has sparked outrage and underscores the brutality of the Naxal insurgency.
The recent discovery of IEDs and the murder highlight the ongoing threat posed by Naxalites in Bastar, a region encompassing seven districts, including Sukma. The Maoists have been active in this area for decades, using tactics like planting IEDs to target security forces and intimidate locals.
Despite ongoing anti-Naxalite operations, Maoists have maintained their presence in the region. Last week, eight Naxalites were arrested in Sukma, including one carrying a bounty of ₹1 lakh. Explosives were also seized during the operation. The continued presence of Naxalites and their violent acts demonstrate the complex challenges facing authorities in their efforts to curb the insurgency.
