Four CRPF Jawans Martyred in IED Blast on Chhattisgarh's Kanker-Narayanpur Border

Security forces recover Naxal dump during operation triggered by inputs from surrendered militants; blast occurs while defusing device in Koroskoda jungle.

Four personnel of the security forces lost their lives in an IED explosion on Saturday in the dense forests along the Kanker-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred during a search operation based on specific intelligence provided by Naxals who had surrendered earlier. 

On Sunday morning, the martyrs were given a solemn guard of honour in Narayanpur and Kanker districts amid heavy hearts. Senior officials, including Bastar Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj, elected representatives, police personnel, and grieving family members attended the ceremonies. The atmosphere was sombre as tears flowed freely among the kin. After the tributes, the mortal remains were sent to the jawans' native villages for last rites.

Operation Based on Surrendered Naxal Inputs

According to officials, the force had moved into the Koroskoda jungle in the Chhote Bethiya police station area early Saturday morning following leads from recently surrendered Naxals. The region has seen sustained operations aimed at recovering IEDs planted by Maoists over the years.

While the team was attempting to defuse an IED, the device exploded with full force. Three jawans died on the spot due to severe injuries. The fourth, identified as Parmanand Korram, was critically wounded and airlifted to Raipur for advanced treatment. He succumbed to his injuries later in the hospital, officials confirmed.

Bastar IG P. Sundarraj, while confirming the details, said the operation was part of an ongoing drive against residual Naxal infrastructure. “We have been carrying out IED recovery missions based on inputs from surrendered cadres for the past few months. A Naxal dump was also recovered during this search,” he added.

Growing Focus on IED Threat

Security sources familiar with anti-Naxal operations in Bastar region noted that IEDs left behind by retreating Maoists continue to pose a significant challenge. Even as the number of active Naxals has declined due to sustained pressure and surrenders, these hidden explosive devices remain a lethal legacy of the insurgency. Forces have intensified defusing and area sanitisation efforts in recent times.

The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by jawans in what is often described as a long-drawn battle against Left Wing Extremism. Small teams operating in thick jungles and difficult terrain frequently encounter such threats during cordon-and-search actions.

Political Reactions Pour In

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reacted sharply to the incident. In a post on X, he targeted the BJP government at the Centre and in the state, saying mere political slogans about ending Naxalism would not suffice. 

“Naxals have left behind remnants of terror. We also need a campaign to free ourselves from these. This fight is collective. The only option is the complete elimination of anti-democratic forces,” Baghel stated.

The Congress leader’s remarks come at a time when the state government has been claiming significant progress in curbing Naxal violence through coordinated security and development initiatives.

Background of the Area

The Kanker-Narayanpur belt has historically been part of the Maoist-affected Bastar division. While large-scale encounters have reduced and several top leaders have either been neutralised or surrendered, sporadic incidents involving IEDs continue to claim lives. Local residents often express a mix of relief at declining Naxal dominance and anxiety over remaining explosive hazards that affect both security personnel and civilians.

Officials maintained that the current phase of operations draws heavily from intelligence gathered from those who have laid down arms. These inputs have reportedly helped in mapping old dumping grounds and supply routes used by the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Families Await Answers, Forces Vow to Continue

As the bodies reached their hometowns, families of the fallen jawans grappled with sudden loss. Many of the personnel hailed from modest backgrounds and had been serving in specialised units deployed for anti-Naxal duties.

Senior police and CRPF officers have assured a thorough review of the sequence of events to further refine standard operating procedures for IED handling in hostile terrain. Operations in the region are expected to continue with heightened caution.

The martyrdom of the four jawans adds to the long list of sacrifices made by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s fight against Naxalism. While surrenders and developmental works signal a gradual shift, incidents like Saturday’s blast serve as grim reminders of the challenges that persist on the ground.

In a major anti-Naxal breakthrough, 47 Naxalites linked to South Bastar surrendered before Telangana Police, handing over 32 weapons and a large cache of ammunition. Officials said the surrendered cadre included senior operatives from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZCM), divisional and area-level formations, making it one of the most significant recent setbacks for the Maoist network operating along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.

According to officials, the surrendered Naxalites were active in different parts of Bastar and collectively carried a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore. The group included senior functionaries, platoon commanders and armed cadre associated with core Maoist structures in South Bastar.

Senior Cadres Included

Among those who surrendered was Hemla Ithu alias Vijja, a DKSZCM member and in-charge of the South Bastar divisional committee. Podiyam Lachhu alias Manoj, identified as the commander of the 9th platoon, also laid down arms along with several other active operatives.

Police said the presence of senior commanders in the surrender group marks a serious organisational setback for the Maoist structure in South Bastar. Officials indicated that the surrender has weakened both leadership and field operations in the region.

Arms and Ammunition Seized

During the surrender, the cadre deposited 32 weapons and 515 live rounds of ammunition. The recovered weapons included one light machine gun, four AK-47 rifles, three SLRs, two INSAS rifles, two muskets, one BGL gun, two air guns, one pistol, one revolver and 12 single-shot firearms.

Officials said the surrender of weapons is significant because it directly reduces the operational capacity of the Maoist network. Security agencies are also examining the recovered arms for intelligence and link analysis.

Why They Surrendered

Telangana Police attributed the surrender to sustained anti-Naxal operations, coordinated intelligence-based action and the state’s rehabilitation policy. According to officials, continuous pressure from police forces in both Telangana and Chhattisgarh narrowed movement corridors and weakened support systems for armed cadres.

Sources indicated that the rehabilitation framework offered by Telangana, along with increasing operational pressure, pushed several cadre members to return to the mainstream. Officials said surrendered cadre would be extended support under the state rehabilitation programme.

Cadre Structure Hit

Police said the surrendered group represented a substantial section of the Maoist chain of command. Of the 47 who surrendered, 28 were linked to DKSZCM, while 15 belonged to the 9th and 30th platoons. The remaining cadre were associated with lower-level support and field units.

Officials described the surrender as a strategic gain in the wider anti-Naxal campaign, particularly in the South Bastar zone where Maoist influence has historically remained strong. Security agencies believe only scattered armed cadre remain active in the affected belt.

Earlier Surrenders Matter

The latest development follows a series of large surrenders in the Bastar region over the past few months. On March 31, 25 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur. Inputs from that group led security forces to a major Maoist dump containing Rs 3 crore in cash and 7 kg of gold, part of a larger seizure estimated at Rs 14 crore.

Earlier, 34 Naxalites had surrendered across four districts, while another 108 cadre laid down arms in Jagdalpur nearly two months ago. Officials had then said the surrendered group carried rewards worth Rs 3.95 crore and turned over cash, gold and 101 weapons.