Three District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were killed and one seriously injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during a de-mining operation in Kanker district of south Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
The incident occurred under the Chhote Bethiya police station limits along the Kanker-Narayanpur border. Security forces were carrying out a de-mining exercise as part of ongoing operations in the Bastar division.
Officials said the explosion took place when personnel were attempting to defuse an IED. The device is believed to have been planted earlier by Maoists. The blast was sudden and powerful, causing heavy casualties among the team.
Sources said the de-mininig operation was launched following inputs from surrendered Maoists about the presence of explosives in the area. Teams had been sent to locate and neutralise these devices.
The personnel killed in the blast have been identified as Inspector Sukhram Vatti, Constable Krishna Komra and Constable Sanjay Gadhpale. Constable Parmanand Komra was seriously injured and has been admitted to hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Bastar Range Inspector General Sundarraj Pattilingam said thatsecurity forces have been carrying out continuous operations to detect and defuse IEDs in the region.
These efforts are aimed at securing interior areas and ensuring safer movement. Following the blast, search operations were intensified. Additional forces were deployed and the area was put on alert.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the incident. He said the loss of the three personnel was deeply saddening and paid tribute to their sacrifice.
He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured jawan. The Chief Minister said the state stands with the families of the deceased and the injured. He added that their courage and sacrifice would be remembered.