CRPF and District Police Foil Maoist Plot, Neutralise 5-kg IED and Recover Arms Dump in Chhattisgarh

Raipur/Bijapur — In a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism, a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the district police successfully foiled a Maoist plot in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district by detecting and neutralising a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) and recovering a cache of insurgent materials, officials said on Sunday.

The operation was carried out on December 28 by personnel of the CRPF’s 214 Battalion, based at the Kandlaparti camp, in coordination with the local district force during routine area domination and demining activities in the Maoist-affected forests of the Bastar region. Bijapur remains one of the most sensitive districts in Chhattisgarh, frequently targeted by Maoists through ambushes and explosive traps.

During a search along a footpath near the Kandlaparti road, the alert security team detected a 5-kg IED strategically planted by Maoists to target patrolling forces or civilians. Following established safety protocols, the CRPF’s Bomb Disposal Team promptly neutralised the explosive on the spot, averting a potential tragedy.

Officials said the placement of the device underscored the continued threat posed by Maoist groups, who routinely use pressure-triggered explosives to disrupt development activities and spread fear in remote tribal areas.

After neutralising the IED, the joint team intensified search operations in the surrounding dense forest, leading to the recovery of a concealed Maoist dump. The cache included materials used to sustain insurgent operations and manufacture explosives, such as 20 firecrackers or crude bombs, cordex wire with a pressure switch, electrical wires, tools, tarpaulin sheets, Maoist uniforms, documents, literature, a wireless set battery, mobile phone batteries and chargers, and other logistical supplies.

Security officials described the recovery as a major setback to Maoist plans in the region, noting that such dumps are typically used by insurgents to support prolonged forest stays, plan attacks, and facilitate recruitment. They praised the vigilance, coordination, and swift action of the joint team in preventing a potentially deadly attack.

The operation highlights the intensified anti-Naxal drive in Chhattisgarh, where new forward operating bases such as Kandlaparti have been established to assert control over core Maoist areas, secure villages, and support infrastructure development, including road construction. Search and area domination operations are continuing to ensure sustained peace and encourage the surrender of remaining cadres.

The latest success adds to a series of recent gains by security forces in the Bastar region, reflecting their continued commitment to restoring normalcy in one of India’s most challenging internal security zones.

With inputs from IANS