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Raipur, Oct 11 (IANS) A Cobra commando was slightly injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by Maoists during an area domination operation in insurgency-hit Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place near Pujari Kanker of Usoor police station area.
According to official sources, a team of security personnel from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Pujari Kanker left on Saturday morning for routine area dominance patrol.
During a search of the forested area, a pressure-activated IED planted by Maoist rebels exploded, injuring a soldier of the Cobra 206 battalion.
The injured soldier was immediately evacuated and is being shifted to a higher medical facility for advanced treatment.
Officials confirmed that the condition of the commando is stable and he is out of danger.
The incident underlines the persistent threat posed by Maoist guerrillas in the Bastar region, despite counter-insurgency operations and recent surrenders.
Chhattisgarh remains one of the epicenters of the Maoist insurgency in India, a movement rooted in decades of socio-economic marginalization, tribal displacement and resource exploitation.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist), the leading left-wing extremist group, has historically taken advantage of local grievances to establish influence in forested districts such as Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma.
At its peak, the Maoist presence spread across 18 of the 27 districts of Chhattisgarh.
Insurgents have relied on guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, landmines and pressure IEDs, to target security forces and disrupt development efforts.
However, sustained anti-Maoist operations in recent years have led to significant successes.
In a major development earlier this month, 103 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur citing disillusionment with the movement’s ideology and internal rifts.
The state’s rehabilitation policy, including financial incentives and reintegration support, has encouraged many cadres to give up arms.
Despite these gains, sporadic attacks such as Saturday’s IED blast highlight the enduring instability in the region.
Security forces continue to adapt their strategies, combining intelligence-led operations with community engagement to dismantle Maoist networks and restore peace.
The Government of Chhattisgarh has reiterated its commitment to both security and development, aiming to neutralize extremist threats while addressing the root causes of extremism. Further updates on the recovery of the injured soldier and the ongoing operations in the area are awaited.
–IANS
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