Days after several CRPF personnel were killed in Sukma, a Shashtra Seema Bal (SSB) constable Kailash Dahre on Monday sustained splinter injuries in an IED attack by the Maoists in Barrebeda area of Chhattisgarh while he was on a patrolling duty to provide security to the newly-constructed railway line.
SSB PRO Deepak Singh said that the patrolling team was led by Assistant Commandant Vivek Ojha when the incident happened and at around 11.30 am an IED was initiated by suspected Maoists on the patrolling party. He said the security team was going to clear the railway track for working party of Rail Vikas Nigam limited (RVNl).
“We were able to evacuate the SSB constable for specialised treatment immediately and is being administered the best treatment available at the Antagarh hospital. He is out of danger now.,” Singh added.
For the purpose of security cover to railway tracks, two Battalions of SSB have been deployed in the Balod and Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. The purpose of deployment is to guard and give protection for construction of 95-km-long Dalli Rajhara to Rowghat railway line. It is a joint venture of Indian Railways, State Govt and SAIl. The area is a Maoist stronghold. Since SSB’s deployment from May 2014, 17 km stretch of railway line has been built and commissioned between Dalli Rajhara to Gudum.
“The area has been identified as having huge reserves of iron ore and the construction of the railway line will facilitate transportation of Rowghat ore to Bhilai. Most of area covers under forests. Deforestation and acquisition clearance is big hurdle apart from area being Maoist hot beds,” said SSB Director General (DG) Archana Ramasundaram.