Narayanpur: In a tragic incident on Saturday morning, three security personnel were martyred and one was critically injured following an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast along the Kanker-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh. The blast occurred in the dense Koroskoda forest within the Chhotebethiya police station jurisdiction while a District Reserve Guard (DRG) team was conducting a search operation. Reports indicate that the explosion took place unexpectedly as the team attempted to defuse an IED planted by Naxalites, leaving the personnel with no time to react to the sudden force of the detonation.
The martyred personnel have been identified as Inspector Sukhram Watti, Constable Krishna Komra, and Constable Sanjay Garhpale. Despite immediate rescue efforts, the three succumbed to their severe injuries at the site of the explosion. Another soldier, Parmanand Komra, sustained serious injuries in the blast and was promptly evacuated to a medical facility in Kanker for advanced treatment. The specialized team was part of a broader push to clear the region of hidden explosives based on recent intelligence.
Bastar Range Inspector General P. Sundarraj confirmed the details of the operation, stating that the mission was launched following specific inputs provided by surrendered Naxalites. Over the past few months, security forces have successfully recovered and neutralized hundreds of IEDs in the region to ensure safety. The IG described the incident as a deeply unfortunate accident occurring during the high-risk task of neutralizing a lethal device, emphasizing the ongoing commitment of the forces to clear the area despite the significant dangers involved.
