Naxalite IED Blast in Chhattisgarh: Two STF Personnel Killed, Four Injured

In Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, an IED blast set off by Naxalites killed two Special Task Force (STF) personnel and injured four others, as stated by police. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief, insisting their sacrifice won't be in vain and the fight against Naxalism continues.

Two members of the Special Task Force (STF) lost their lives while four others sustained injuries after Naxalites detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police confirmed on Thursday.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep sorrow over the incident, affirming that the jawans' sacrifices will not go in vain. He emphasized that the state's efforts to combat Naxalism will persist until the threat is eliminated.

The explosion occurred on Wednesday night in the Tarrem area when a combined security team was returning from an anti-Naxalite operation in the forests at the tri-junction of Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada districts. Personnel from the STF, District Reserve Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, and the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were involved in the operation. The mission, launched on Tuesday, was based on intelligence regarding Naxalite presence from the Darbha and west Bastar divisions, as well as military company no.2.

Two STF constables, Bharat Sahu from Raipur and Satyer Singh Kange from Narayanpur district, were killed in the explosion, while four other personnel were injured. Reinforcements swiftly arrived at the scene, transferring the injured to Bijapur district hospital before airlifting them to Raipur for further medical treatment.

CM Sai conveyed his condolences on platform X, expressing hope for the injured jawans' speedy recovery and reiterating the state's determination to eradicate Naxalism. He noted that 139 Naxalites have been killed by security forces in various encounters across Chhattisgarh this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)