BIJAPUR: A woman in her mid-50s suffered serious injuries on Wednesday after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, police reported.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 am when Jogi, a resident of Nadpalli village under Usoor police station, was out collecting forest produce. Unaware of the danger, she stepped on the pressure-activated IED, resulting in a blast that severely injured her legs.
Following the explosion, Jogi was promptly taken to a health center in Usoor for initial treatment. She was then referred to the Bijapur district hospital for further medical care, according to the police official.
Naxalites frequently plant IEDs along roads, construction sites, and dirt tracks in forested areas to target patrolling security personnel in the Bastar region, which encompasses seven districts, including Bijapur. Unfortunately, many civilians have also been harmed by these traps. Police statistics reveal that in the past two-and-a-half months, five people have been killed by Naxal-planted IEDs in various locations within Bijapur district. Notably, on June 2, a 22-year-old man was injured in a similar incident in the Tarrem area.
The police continue to warn residents of the dangers posed by such devices and are working to clear these threats from the affected areas.