Chhattisgarh: 4 IEDs recovered, Maoist memorials demolished in Kanker operation

The explosives included three pressure cooker IEDs — one weighing about 10 kg and two weighing around 5 kg each — and one pipe IED.

Published on: Mar 16, 2026, 11:12:24 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Security forces have recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and demolished four Maoist memorials during a joint anti-Maoist operation in Kanker district, the police said on Monday.

CRPF personnel stand atop the debris after demolishing a memorial built by Naxals in Sukma last month. (ANI)

According to the police, the operation was carried out in the Chhotebethiya police station area as part of the ongoing anti-Maoist campaign under the leadership of Bastar Range inspector general Sundarraj P and the direction of Kanker superintendent of police Nikhil Kumar Rakhecha, along with in-charge DIG BSF Om Prakash of Bhanupratappur.

A joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Border Security Force (BSF), led by second-in-command Commandant Manoj Kasana of the BSF’s 94th Battalion, was deployed for patrol and search operations in the Kanker–Narayanpur border area.

During the search operation on March 15 in the forested hill region between Hapatola and Binagunda villages under Chhotebethiya police station limits, security forces recovered four IEDs and other Maoist-related materials from a concealed dump.

The explosives included three pressure cooker IEDs — one weighing about 10 kg and two weighing around 5 kg each — and one pipe IED. Security personnel also recovered a bundle of electric wire, three Maoist uniforms, firecrackers and Maoist literature from the site.

Police said four Maoist memorial structures built in Kalpar and Amatola villages were also demolished during the operation. All the recovered IEDs were safely destroyed at the site due to security concerns.

The operation involved assistant commandant Satendra Mohan of the BSF’s 94th Battalion, ASI DRG commander Ukesh Korram and other personnel of the joint team. Police said further legal proceedings are underway at the Chhotebethiya police station.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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