IEDs seized in major op against Maoist leaders, DRG jawan hurt

Raipur: A joint team of security forces conducted a three-day operation deep in Maoist-affected territory in Bijapur, engaging the insurgents in multiple encounters, and apparently injuring or killing two-three Maoists, police said on Wednesday.A District Reserve Guards (DRG) constable was injured in an IED blast while returning from the operation. The forces busted a hideout, seizing IEDs and a large Maoist stockpile.There were specific inputs about the presence of the Maoists’ ‘Western Bastar division in charge’ Paparao, division military commander Rahul, military company 2 commander Vella, and 150-170 armed cadres from the National Park area committee, Gangaloor area committee, military numbers 12 and 13, in Gangaloor, a hotbed of insurgency, said police.Joint teams of CoBRA commandos, CRPF, Special Task Force, DRG and district force from Bijapur and neighbouring Dantewada districts set off on June 19, hoping to intercept the Maoists near Pidia.Police officers said that there were multiple gunfights between the Maoists and forces on Tuesday and two/three cadres were believed to have been hit, going by the blood on the jungle floor. The Maoists dragged them away as they retreated.Encounters took place between Dantewada DRG and Maoists in the forests between Endri and Pidia and between STF and Maoists in Gayatapara, Peddapara and Lekampara.At one of the locations, security forces busted a Maoist camp which had a cache of IEDs, explosives, medicines, Maoist uniforms, and items of daily use. Police said that a Maoist ‘memorial’ was also destroyed.While returning to base, however, DRG constable Ajay Mandavi was injured when he stepped on a camouflaged IED. He was taken to a hospital in Bijapur and then flown to Raipur, where his condition is said to be stable.