New Delhi: Four Indian security personnel were killed on Saturday in an accidental explosion while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device (IED) recovered from a Maoist dump in a forested area on the border of Kanker and Narayanpur districts of Chhattisgarh, Police said.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. during a demining operation in the Adnar forest area under the jurisdiction of Chhote Bethiya police station. A team from the Kanker District Reserve Guard (DRG) was deployed based on intelligence inputs to recover explosives from a known Maoist dump when the IED detonated accidentally.
The deceased have been identified as Inspector Sukhram Vatti (40) of the DRG, Bijapur; Constable Krishna Komra (35) of the District Force, Kanker; Constable Sanjay Gadhpale (29) of the Bastar Fighters, Kanker; and Constable Parmanand Komra (29) of the Bastar Fighters, Kanker. The first three personnel died on the spot, while Constable Parmanand Komra was airlifted to a hospital in Raipur, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Inspector General of Bastar Range, P. Sundarraj, confirmed the incident and said the team was carrying out a routine recovery operation based on specific intelligence. “The IED accidentally exploded while the Kanker DRG team was trying to defuse it, resulting in the death of four of our colleagues,” Sundarraj said.
He added that the ongoing demining drive across the Bastar division, intensified over the past seven to eight months using inputs from surrendered Maoist cadres, has yielded significant results. “We have recovered 900 IEDs in 2025 and 300 so far in 2026 – a total of 1,200 IEDs. More than 300 weapons, including AK-47s, LMGs, INSAS rifles, and BGL launchers, have also been seized,” the IG said.
Sundarraj emphasised the unpredictable nature of IEDs. “This should not be viewed as a lapse. IEDs have always been a major challenge for security forces. Their mechanisms are extremely complex – they can be command-operated, pressure-triggered, or victim-activated. Explosives are also affected by environmental conditions, and with the intense summer heat right now, the exact cause will only be clear after a forensic and ballistic examination,” he said.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma expressed deep grief over the incident and paid tribute to the fallen personnel. “I offer heartfelt tribute to the brave sons who have been martyred,” Sharma said. “I pray to God to grant place to the departed souls at His divine feet and provide strength and patience to the grieving families during this difficult time.”
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that the team had successfully recovered the dump containing explosives, which were being handled carefully when the blast occurred due to the device’s manufacturing and design. He assured that the state government stands firmly with the families of the martyrs and that anti-Maoist and demining operations will continue without pause. “Their sacrifice will not go in vain. We will complete this mission to make Bastar free of IEDs and violence,” Sharma said.
The incident holds particular significance as it is the first blast linked to Naxalite activity in the state since India was officially declared free from armed Maoists on March 31, 2026.
A forensic and ballistic team has been dispatched to the site to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Bastar Police stated that operations to clear remaining Maoist dumps will continue.
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