7 jawans killed as IED planted by Maoists goes off in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada

Maoists triggered the blast when a joint team of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and the District Force, in an SUV, was escorting a vehicle carrying material for road construction work.

Updated on: May 21, 2018, 08:25:52 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Seven state police jawans were killed on Sunday morning when Maoists allegedly blew up their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada district, the police said. The Maoists also looted six automatic rifles of the police personnel after the blast and fled into the jungles.

Officials said the Maoists looted two Insas rifles, two SLRs and two AK-47 and other equipments from the spot. (HT Photo)

The injured policeman has been airlifted to Raipur and his condition is said to be critical, the police said.

Special director general of police (anti-Naxal operations) DM Awasthi confirmed the deaths in Dantewada, adding that the Maoists targeted the team of state police jawans who were escorting a truck carrying material for road construction in the area.

“For the last one year, construction of the Kirandul and Arangpur road was stopped but we have restarted it just a few days ago. The jawans were escorting a truck which was laden with building material when the Maoists targeted them at a culvert between Cholnar and Kirandul village,” said Awasthi.

“The Maoists have looted two Insas rifles, two SLRs and two AK-47 and other equipments from the spot,” Awasthi added.

The jawans who were killed in the blast have been identified as Ram Kumar Yadav (head constable), Tikeshwar Dhruve (constable), Saligraam (assistant constable), Vikram Yadav (assistant constable), Rajesh Singh (constable ) and VIrendra Singh (constable).

In April, security forces had killed eight Maoists, including five women, in a forest in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. This followed a major operation in neighbouring Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli that left 39 rebels dead.

Following Sunday’s blast, joint operations to hunt down the Maoists in the area have been launched by the Sukma and Dantewada police.

“I have given instructions to both Sukma and Dantewada SPs to start operations in the jungles after the incident. We are hoping for positive results in next few hours,” claimed Awasthi.

(With inputs from agencies)

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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