“The attack, which took place near Amboli village around 2:15 pm, involved a powerful IED blast followed by gunfire. The security team was returning from a joint anti-Maoist operation when their vehicle was targeted,” Bastar Range IG P Sundarraj said.
Photo: IANS
Eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and the driver of their vehicle were killed in a Maoist ambush on the Kutru-Bedre road in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Monday.
“The attack, which took place near Amboli village around 2:15 pm, involved a powerful IED blast followed by gunfire. The security team was returning from a joint anti-Maoist operation when their vehicle was targeted,” Bastar Range IG P Sundarraj said.
Advertisement
According to reports, five other personnel were injured in the attack, with three reported to be in critical condition. The insurgents detonated the IED on a bridge, destroying the police vehicle and causing significant casualties. This attack underscores the challenges faced by security forces conducting operations in one of India’s most volatile regions.
Advertisement
The DRG team, which has played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the Bastar region, was returning after a high-risk mission. This attack is believed to be a desperate attempt by the Maoists to retaliate against the increasing pressure from intensified security operations.
Sources revealed that the Maoists fired on the security personnel following the explosion, exacerbating the tragedy. The injured were swiftly airlifted for medical treatment, while a combing operation has been launched in the area to track the attackers.
The ambush highlights the persistent challenge posed by Maoist insurgents in southern Chhattisgarh, despite ongoing efforts by security forces to eliminate extremism.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating Maoist influence from the region by 2026. However, this attack underscores the rebels’ capacity to strike back, utilizing guerrilla tactics and the dense terrain to their advantage.
Security forces have launched combing operations in the area to track down the perpetrators, with security forces vowing a strong response to this attack. This brutal act of violence reflects the Maoists’ frustration as security forces continue to dismantle their strongholds across Bastar.
However, it also highlights the enduring challenges of counter-insurgency operations in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh.
Advertisement
