An improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists to target security personnel was recovered near Karsingh village of insurgency-hit Kondagaon district of Bastar division on Tuesday.
The security personnel also recovered a detonator, switch, electric wire and other material used for preparation of the bomb, said Superintendent of Police, Kondagaon, Abhishek Meena.
The District Reserve Guards (DRG) team and the bomb disposal squad of District Force (DF) were mobilized after receiving information about IED planted by the insurgents in the forest near Karsingh village. The team conducted intensive search and eventually discovered the explosive in a steel container on a public road near Karsingh village, police said.
Police said that the teams also recovered other material like switch, detonator, wire etc from nearby area. The bomb was immediately diffused on the spot by the bomb disposal squad.
“From the prima facie circumstances it seems that the IED was planted by the rebels to harm the security personnel. The bomb could have also caused damage to the people and vehicles passing through the road,” said Meena.
He added that the insurgents are frustrated as a large number of Naxals have surrendered in Bastar division and they want to prove their presence through violence. The alertness of security personnel has averted a major incident.