2 paramilitary soldiers killed in Maoist IED blast in Chhattisgarh
What's the story
Two paramilitary soldiers lost their lives in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, after an improvised explosive device (IED) that was planted under their truck by Maoists detonated.
The two soldiers were part of the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) special anti-Maoist unit, CoBRA.
The IED attack occurred when they were on a road-opening patrol (ROP) in a truck and motorcycle, according to police.
Twitter Post
Search operation is underway
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: "Under the Jagargunda PS limits in Sukma district between Silger and Tekulagudem, Naxalites blew up security vehicles in an IED blast, this afternoon. Two jawans of CRPF CoBRA 201 BN lost their lives... CRPF, CoBRA and police reached the spot. The bodies of… https://t.co/o78kZFfnSx pic.twitter.com/IR0PDGBdOo
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2024
Patrol and response
Increase in anti-Maoist operations
Security forces have established 17 new forward outposts in areas that were previously considered to be under Maoist control, indicating a significant increase in aggression since December 2023.
This encompasses regions within Abhujmaad, a 4,000-square-kilometer forest expanse that borders Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
As of Saturday, 131 Maoists have been slain in separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh this year, a significant increase from the 22 ultras who were killed in 2023.