Bijapur IED Blast: 8 DRG Jawans Among 9 in Killed in Explosion by Maoists in Bastar (Watch Video)

At least eight Dantewada DRG jawans and one driver were killed in an Improvised explosive device (IED) blast allegedly planted by Maoists in the Bijapur district of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh on Monday, December 6. According to the information, the explosion erupted inside vehicles when they were returning after a joint operation of Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh: Security Forces' Vehicle Targeted in IED Blast Near Bijapur; Probe Underway.

The incident occurred near the Kutru region, located about 80 kilometres from district headquarters, around 2.30 pm on the Kutru-Bedre route. Seven personal security personnel died in the blast, and a few others were seriously injured. They indicated that the number of casualties of jawans might increase.

Visuals From Blast Site

Chhattisgarh: An IED blast occurred near Ambeli village on Kutru-Bedre road, Bijapur. The blast targeted a joint operation team returning from Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Bijapur. Nine personnel, including 8 DRG soldiers and one driver, were martyred pic.twitter.com/E1rQnPIYnj

— IANS (@ians_india) January 6, 2025

The region has been cordoned off by the security forces and police. No public vehicle is allowed to enter the area until further order. P. Sundarraj, Bastar range inspector general of police, said that a police vehicle was blown up with IED explosives, stating that further details into the incident are will revealed after the investigation.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: On the Bijapur IED blast, Deputy CM Arun Sao says, "It is a very unfortunate incident. I pay my tribute to all the soldiers. This is a cowardly act by the Naxals. The sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain..." pic.twitter.com/bM1T8NAgRL

— IANS (@ians_india) January 6, 2025

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said, "It is a very unfortunate incident. I pay my tribute to all the soldiers. This is a cowardly act by the Naxals. The sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain..."

"For the past 2-3 days, security forces have been conducting operations in the border areas of Bijapur district, Narayanpur, and Dantewada. So far, 5 dead bodies have been recovered during these operations...Total 9 people are killed in the blast," said IG Bastar Sundarraj Pattilingam.

BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal on the Bijapur IED blast said, "The incident in Bijapur is tragic and unfortunate. We pay tribute to the martyrs and assure that our forces will rest after they completely eradicated Naxalism"

Chhattisgarh former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in a social media post said, "The news coming from Bijapur is very sad. Maoists have carried out an IED blast on a security forces vehicle in Kutru, Bijapur. In this tragic incident, 8 of our jawans and a driver have been martyred. We pay our humble tribute to all the martyrs and salute their martyrdom. We are all united against anti-democracy forces."

"The news of the martyrdom of a driver along with 8 soldiers in an IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Kutru of Bijapur district is extremely sad. My condolences are with the families of the martyrs. I pray to God for peace to the souls of the martyred soldiers and to provide strength to the bereaved families. The Naxalites are frustrated with the ongoing Naxal eradication campaign in Bastar and are perpetrating such cowardly acts out of frustration. The martyrdom of the soldiers will not go in vain, our fight to end Naxalism will continue strongly," said Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai.