CRPF Jawan Critically Injured in IED Blast Amid Civic Body Polls in Dantewada

Raipur/Dantewada,INDIA: Amidst the ongoing urban body elections in Chhattisgarh, a CRPF jawan lost both his legs in an IED blast triggered by Maoist insurgents in the Naxal-affected Dantewada district.

The injured jawan, identified as Head Constable M.N. Shukla of the 231 Battalion, was part of an area domination operation under Aranpur police station limits when he accidentally stepped on an improvised anti-personnel pressure mine. Following the blast, he was airlifted to Raipur in critical condition after receiving emergency treatment at Dantewada District Hospital.

According to ASP RK Burman, the security forces had been deployed based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of armed Maoists in the area. This incident adds to the series of violent attacks by Naxalites in Aranpur, where earlier, nine jawans and a driver were killed after Maoists detonated a 50 kg IED on a security convoy.

The blast occurred while security personnel were ensuring peaceful conduct of civic body polls in the region. Authorities fear further disruptions, as insurgents continue to target security forces in their efforts to maintain control over highly sensitive zones.

Further investigations are underway, and security has been heightened in Dantewada and surrounding districts.