Eight security guards and a driver were killed when an IED planted by Maoists exploded in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, India. The attack took place at Kutru area of Bastar region at 2:15 PM on Monday (January 6). The victims were returning from an expedition in a Scorpio car. Indian media NDTV reported this news.
Earlier on the same day, five Maoists were killed in an operation by security forces in Chhattisgarh's Abujamar area. Two of them were women. Automatic weapons including AK-47 and self-loading rifles were recovered in the operation. On the way back after the operation, the Maoists targeted the security guards.
The eight security guards killed were members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG). This unit, specially formed for Maoist suppression operations, is the main pillar of the state's security system. The intensity of the explosion was so great that a huge crater was created on the spot.
Security forces have recently made significant progress in Maoist-dominated Chhattisgarh. The process of cornering the insurgents in the region is ongoing. However, the attack is seen as a desperate response by the insurgents.
BJP MP Mahesh Kashyap termed the attack as cowardly. He said, our jawans are eliminating the Maoists. So they got frustrated and carried out this sad attack. My deepest condolences to the families of the martyred jawans. Our government is committed to make Bastar Maoist free by 2026. We will avenge the killing of our soldiers.
