Chhattisgarh : Security forces recover remote-controlled IEDs placed by Maoists for the first time

A team of reserve guards, Chhattisgarh Armed Forces (CAF) and Special Task Forces (STF) have reportedly unearthed 4 remote-controlled IEDs (Improvised explosive devices) in the Maoist-hit area of Dantewada in Bastar zone of Chhattisgarh. Besides, several petrol bombs were also recovered by the forces.

District SP (Dantewada) Abhishek Pallava informed that it was for the ‘first time’ that the left-wing extremists had used remote-controlled IEDs in the region. The operation was undertaken by a team of over 300 security personnel who were at the site, safeguarding road work construction. On being suspicious of 3-4 individuals wandering around in the civilian dress, they conducted a search operation and uncovered 4 IEDs weighing about 4 to 5 kgs.

Moreover, the IEDs were connected to an antenna, located on a tree, and 12 Volt batteries. Petrol bombs were also discovered in the vicinity of the IEDs. All these explosives, used in combination, could have caused serious damage to the security forces. “We averted a major mishap tracing these remote-controlled IEDs with the troopers remaining much vigilant on the ground”, Pallava was quoted as saying. The site of tracing of the explosive, Dantewada, is roughly 450 km away from Raipur.