Chhattisgarh, India

Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in action after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists detonated, hitting the truck in which they were travelling in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.

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The incident took place around 3 PM on Sunday (June 23) within the Jagargunda police station limits, between Silger and Tekulgudem, as the soldiers were en route to get their weekly groceries.

The soldiers, part of the CRPF's special anti-Maoist unit CoBRA, have been identified as 35-year-old Vishnu R from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram and 29-year-old Shailendra from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur.

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They were part of a road-opening patrol (ROP) when the attack occurred, according to reports.

The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) had been patrolling from Silger camp under Jagargunda police station limits towards Tekulgudem when the IED attack happened.

The blast also left security personnel injured, who were promptly taken to the hospital after rescue teams reached the scene.

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This comes a day after an anti-Naxal operation led the Chhattisgarh Police to a counterfeit note printing racket in Sukma, aimed at destabilising the local economy.

It was unearthed during a joint search operation by the Sukma Police, the District Reserve Guard and the CRPF in the forests of Korajguda on Saturday (June 22).

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Sukma District police chief Kiran commented on the incident, stating, “During a raid at a Maoist camp launched in the area, printers, ink, and fake notes were seized.”

Experts have noted that IEDs pose a significant threat to soldiers engaged in anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh.

These crude explosives are often hidden in the thick forests and can have devastating effects on security forces operating in the region.

(With inputs from agencies)