Three DRG jawans killed in IED blast during demining operation in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker
Three DRG jawans killed and one injured in an IED blast during a demining operation in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker, marking first Naxal-linked incident after March 31
PTC Web Desk: In a tragic incident, three jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed and one sustained injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded during a demining operation in Kanker on Saturday, police officials confirmed.
According to P Sundarraj, the blast took place in a forested area under the Chhotebethiya police station limits, near the border of Narayanpur. A team of DRG personnel was carrying out a demining exercise to detect and defuse explosives allegedly planted earlier by Naxalites.
During the operation, the jawans accidentally came in contact with the hidden IED, triggering a powerful explosion. All four personnel were critically injured and rushed for medical treatment, but three of them later succumbed to their injuries.
The DRG, a specialised unit of the state police, is actively involved in anti-Naxal operations in the region.
Notably, this is the first such blast linked to Naxalite activity after Chhattisgarh was declared free from armed Maoists on March 31.
Security forces have intensified search operations in the area following the incident.