11 security personnel wounded in IED blasts during Chhattisgarh anti-Maoist op

The IEDs went off during the operation launched following inputs about the presence of Maoists in a forested area near the Karegutta hills along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border

Published on: Jan 26, 2026, 11:42:28 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Eleven security personnel were injured in six Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts during an anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Sunday, police said on Monday.

The IED blasts took place at different intervals. (HT PHOTO/Representative)

“The injured jawans were airlifted to Raipur for treatment. Their condition is stable, and they are recovering well,” said inspector general Sunderraj P.

The IEDs went off during the operation launched following inputs about the presence of Maoists in a forested area near the Karegutta hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The area is believed to be a stronghold of the first battalion of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, the armed wing of the Maoists.

The IED blasts took place at different intervals. Three of the personnel sustained serious leg injuries, while three others suffered splinter injuries to their eyes.

This year, 20 Maoists have been killed in separate operations in the state. Bijapur accounted for a majority of the anti-Maoist operations in 2024 and 2025 amid heightened counter-insurgency efforts. The Union government has set a March 31, 2026, deadline for ending the Left-wing insurgency.

The killing of Maoist chief Nambala Kesava Rao, alias Basavaraju, on May 20 marked the most significant success against the Left-wing insurgency in years. The Union government has said that the number of Left-Wing insurgency-hit districts has fallen to 11, from 18 in April.

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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