Atleast two security personnel on Monday suffered injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast which took place in insurgency-hit Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, police said.
A joint squad of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) — a specialised unit of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and District Force (DF) undertaking anti-Naxal exercise in forest patches falling under limits of Basaguda Police Station suffered injuries in an IED blast, informed Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Indira Kalyan Elesela.
Two CoBRA personnel identified as Santosh and Began Prasad suffered injuries in the blast, said Elesela, adding that the injured troopers were airlifted to Basaguda camp for better medical assistance.
The ASP further informed that on the way to their respective camp after having a gun battle with Maoists in a forest patch under Basaguda police station, two troopers accidently stepped over IED planted by ultras.
According to Elesela, while undertaking combing operation in the region, a group of armed Naxals opened indiscriminate firing on security personnel when they reached village Chhote Tarrem under Basaguda police station.
Following the firing by ultras, security personnel launched a retaliatory action after which rebels fled the spot.
During the course of searching at the spot of encounter, security personnel recovered as many as 8 pipe bombs, Naxal posters/banners and other items being used by insurgents.
Blood stains spotted at the spot of encounter indicates casualty from rebel’s side, said Elesela, adding that extensive search in the region is underway.