Daijiworld Media Network – Bijapur

Bijapur, Jul 2: In a grim reminder of the continuing threat posed by Maoists in the Bastar region, a 32-year-old villager sustained serious injuries after inadvertently stepping on a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) allegedly planted by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, police confirmed on Wednesday.

The injured villager, identified as Vishal Gote Hemla, hails from Motlaguda village under Madded police station limits. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening (July 1) when Hemla had ventured into a nearby forest in Pegdapalli village to collect mushrooms and other forest produce.

According to police sources, the pressure-triggered IED, likely meant to target security forces patrolling the area, detonated the moment Hemla stepped on it. He suffered severe injuries to his legs and face, and was immediately rushed to a primary health centre in Madded. From there, he was referred to the Bijapur district hospital and subsequently shifted to Jagdalpur for advanced treatment due to the seriousness of his condition.

Officials noted that Maoists frequently lay IEDs along forest trails and village paths to ambush security forces engaged in anti-insurgency operations. Unfortunately, innocent civilians often become unintended victims of these deadly traps.

The Bastar region, which includes Bijapur, has witnessed several such incidents in the past, raising grave concerns about the safety of locals who depend on forest produce for their livelihood.

Authorities have once again appealed to residents to remain vigilant and avoid suspicious forest trails. Additional search and defusal operations are expected in the area in the coming days to prevent further casualties.