Tragic Loss and Tactical Success: IED Blast in Bijapur, Naxal Leaders Neutralized

In a tragic turn of events, one jawan was killed and two others were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) blast, orchestrated by Naxalites, rocked the National Park area of Bijapur district on Monday morning. The incident occurred during an anti-Maoist operation conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) team, according to Police IG Bastar P Sundarraj.

The deceased jawan has been identified as Dinesh Nag. The injured personnel are reportedly in stable condition, receiving first aid, and are being airlifted for further treatment. More comprehensive details are awaited as the operation reaches its conclusion.

In a separate but related development, security forces delivered a significant blow to Naxalite operations in Chhattisgarh by neutralizing two high-profile leaders. Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame, carrying combined bounties of Rs 1.16 crore, were killed in a joint operation in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district on August 13. The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Chhattisgarh Police, DRG, and the 27th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), marking a substantial effort against insurgency in the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)