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Raipur, October 9 (IANS) In a tragic incident on Thursday, a 12-year-old tribal boy was seriously injured when a pressure-activated improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists exploded in remote village Pidiya under Gangalur police station in Bijapur district. Police officials gave this information.
According to security officials, the boy was passing through the area when he accidentally triggered the hidden explosive.
The blast caused serious injuries, prompting an immediate response from personnel of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion deployed nearby.
After first aid, the child was taken to Bijapur District Hospital, where he is under intensive medical care. The incident is the latest disturbing incident of civilian casualties due to IEDs planted by Maoists in the Bastar region.
Over the past few months, many innocent villagers – including children – have fallen victim to these indiscriminate devices, which are often buried on footpaths and forest paths used by locals and security forces.
The attack has sparked widespread anger and grief among the tribal community in Pidia and surrounding villages. Security forces have launched a coordinated search operation in the surrounding area to locate and neutralize any additional threat.
A police officer said the area has been cordoned off and bomb disposal squads are searching nearby roads and fields to look for hidden explosives.
Senior officials of the Bijapur district administration condemned the attack and reiterated their commitment to the safety of citizens.
A spokesperson of the Bastar Range Police said, “Maoists are using IEDs as a weapon of terror, targeting the most vulnerable. We are intensifying operations to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.”
The incident follows a similar blast in Madded area last week, where a woman Maoist was injured while planting an IED and was later abandoned by her associates.
The repeated use of pressure IEDs underlines the urgent need for increased surveillance, community awareness and de-mining efforts in Maoist-affected areas.
–IANS
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