Three Injured in Maoist-Triggered IED Blast in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Quick Summary:

• A pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists exploded in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh on July 13, 2025.
• Three civilians from Dhangol village-Chidem Kanhaiya (24),Korse Santosh (26),and Kavita Kudiam (16)-were injured while collecting mushrooms in a forest near Madded police station limits.
• The injuries primarily affected their legs and faces; all three victims were shifted to the Bijapur district hospital for treatment.
• Maoists in the region often use IEDs to target security personnel during operations inside forested areas. Civilians have occasionally fallen victim to these traps in Bastar region,which includes Bijapur.

Image description: Google Maps locates the Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh.

Indian Opinion analysis:

The incident underscores continuing challenges posed by Maoist insurgency in certain regions of India, notably Chhattisgarh’s Bastar area. While these IEDs are intended as anti-security measures, they inadvertently harm local civilians-a recurring issue that adds complexity to counterinsurgency efforts. For India, this presents a dual concern: improving the safety of civilian populations while maintaining effective operations against insurgents who make use of dense forests as operational strongholds.Efforts to enhance public awareness about such dangers could mitigate accidental encounters with such devices.

Such incidents highlight both humanitarian consequences and systemic security challenges tied to internal conflicts. Addressing these concerns will require sustained intervention not just through military means but also expanded socio-economic growth initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerabilities among local communities.

Read more at The Hindu.