A powerful improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 40 kg and planted by Maoists was found in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, averting a major tragedy, police said.
The explosive, packed in a big plastic container, was unearthed by a joint team of various security forces on the Basaguda-Tarrem road, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap said.
Personnel belonging to CRPF's 168th battalion, 204th battalion of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action - an elite unit of CRPF) and the district force were involved in the operation, he said.
While carrying out the de-mining exercise, security personnel spotted the IED concealed under the road near a bridge between Sarkeguda and Pegdapalli villages, the officer said. It was defused.
Naxalites observe "Martyrs' Week" from July 28 to August 3, and had planted the IED to target security forces during that time, Kashyap said.
Security forces often patrol the Basguda-Tarrem route where road construction work is underway, he said.
Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in the state, particularly in the seven districts of Bastar division - Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker - in view of the "Martyrs' Week".
India's top Maoist leader, Charu Mazumdar, died in prison in Kolkata on July 28, 1972. The Maoists mark the week in memory of their slain leaders.