9 dead as Naxals detonate bomb targeting police vehicle in Bijapur.

On Monday, at least eight security officers and a driver lost their lives when a police vehicle was assaulted by Maoists in the forested region of Kutru in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, known for being heavily impacted by Left Wing Extremism.

Maoists detonated an Improvised Explosive Device on a police vehicle along the Kutru Bedre road. “Further details will be shared,” stated Bastar Range’s Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P.

According to sources, the forces were coming back today after carrying out their initial anti-Naxal mission of the year in Abujhmad on Saturday. The operation commenced on January 3 (Friday). It’s not unusual for Maoists to ambush security personnel during their return, as these forces are frequently fatigued and hungry after carrying out operations that span several days. The Kutru region is adjacent to Abujhmad, where an encounter occurred last week resulting in the deaths of five Maoists, as well as the killing of a District Reserve Guard (DRG) soldier by the Maoists.

“Responding to the existence of Maoists in Abujhmad (also referred to as Maad), a collaborative operation was executed by DRG teams from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Jagdalpur, Kondagaon and the Special Task Force,” Sundarraj had previously stated.  Abujhmad is an extensive area that has not been surveyed since India’s Independence and is bigger than the state of Goa.