Teenager Severely Injured in Forest IED Explosion
A 15-year-old boy suffered critical injuries after stepping on a pressure-triggered improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The incident occurred on Monday morning in the Gangaloor region, just a day after security forces eliminated 14 Maoists in separate operations across Bijapur and Sukma districts.
Swift CRPF Action Saves Life
The victim, identified as Ram Potam, a resident of Korcholi Nadipara village, had gone into the forest near the Korcholi CRPF camp to collect forest produce for his livelihood. The powerful explosion, which happened about 4–5 km from the camp, blew off one of his legs and caused severe injuries to the other.
Personnel from the 222nd battalion of the CRPF heard the blast and immediately rushed to the spot. They provided crucial first aid at the scene, which officials confirmed helped prevent excessive blood loss and likely saved the boy's life. "He was stabilised at the camp before being shifted to hospital," a CRPF officer stated. The teenager was subsequently evacuated to the Bijapur district hospital for further treatment.
Rising IED Threat in Bastar Region
Police confirmed the device was a pressure-triggered IED, designed to explode upon being stepped on. These indiscriminate explosives have been a major cause of casualties among civilians and livestock in the Bastar region. This tragic event highlights the persistent danger faced by villagers in remote areas, despite ongoing demining efforts by security forces.
The incident has prompted security forces to intensify search and IED-detection operations in the Gangaloor, Korcholi, and surrounding forest areas. This push is based on recent intelligence inputs and information from surrendered Maoist cadres.
Authorities have issued a warning, stating that Maoists often plant such explosives along narrow forest paths, riverbanks, and routes frequently used by villagers. They have appealed to residents to exercise extreme caution while entering forested areas and to immediately report any suspicious objects or activities.
The data reveals a alarming trend: in 2025 alone, security forces have recovered 875 IEDs in the region, more than double the 308 recovered in the entirety of 2024. Bastar range Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj noted that this sharp increase reflects the weakening of Maoist supply lines and their reduced access to traditional explosives, forcing them to rely more on locally fabricated IEDs.
This attack comes amid a significant crackdown on Left Wing Extremism. On Sunday, a major operation led to the neutralisation of 14 Maoists. In a related development, a senior Bastar Maoist leader, Barse Deva, surrendered in the neighbouring state of Telangana. The continuing violence underscores the complex security challenge in the region, where civilian lives remain caught in the crossfire.
