The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel opened fire after sensing movement of insurgents near Kirandul mining complex of country largest iron ore producer and exporter National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) in Dantewada district of restive Bastar region late on Thursday evening. The firing took place near deposit number-11b of NMDC falling under limits of Kirandul police station said Dantewada Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) G l Baghel. According to him, some movement of Maoists was suspected near deposit number-11b of NMDC resulting in firing by CISF personnel.
After being informed about the incident, a police team led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamlochan Kashyap and other senior officials rushed to the spot and conducted searching in the area. During the course of search presence or any suspected movement was not established.
As a preventive move, anti-Naxal exercise in the region has been stepped-up, added Baghel. It may be recalled that in August this year, a group of rebels stormed into mining area of NMDC and torched a drill machine and a vehicle. The incident took place in deposit number-5 of NMDC under Bacheli police station during night hours In another incident, armed cadres set a Poclain machine engaged in mining work at NMDC afire in November 2014. Notably in July 2010, around 50 armed Maoists had attacked the NMDC’s Kirandul complex which was said to be housing large quantities of explosives used for mining operations. The CISF personnel had then returned fire to thwart attempt of the Maoists to enter the complex. The Maosts had attacked the complex with the motive of looting explosives from the NMDC complex.