Chhattisgarh Armed Force constable deployed for road project dies in blast

The blast occurred between Toynar and Farsegarh villages, where a Chhattisgarh Armed Force team had been deployed to provide security for an ongoing road construction project

Published on: Apr 21, 2025, 18:21:52 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR: A 26-year-old constable of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) lost his life in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh’s Maoist-affected Bijapur district on Monday, police said.

Police said the constable inadvertently stepped on an IED planted by Maoists, leading to the fatal blast. (Representational image)

According to a statement issued by the Bijapur police, the blast occurred between Toynar and Farsegarh villages, where a CAF team had been deployed to provide security for an ongoing road construction project. The road, meant to improve connectivity in the remote region, is currently being built between the two villages.

The victim, Manoj Pujari (26) was part of the CAF’s 19th battalion and he inadvertently stepped on an IED planted by Maoists, leading to the fatal blast.

Police have launched a search operation in the area following the incident.

The IEDs planted by Maoists remain a major threat in the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Bijapur. Insurgents frequently bury explosive devices along roads and forest paths to target security forces conducting patrols. Civilians have also fallen victim to these deadly traps.

On April 9, a CRPF jawan was injured in an IED blast in Bijapur. On April 4, a 25-year-old man died, and another person was injured in a similar explosion in Narayanpur district. On March 30, a 40-year-old tribal woman lost her life to a Naxal-planted IED in Bijapur.

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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