Security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district conducted operations to neutralize Maoist threats, uncovering and eliminating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and dismantling memorials dedicated to deceased Maoist leaders. During one operation, a 30 kg IED planted by Maoists was discovered and safely destroyed by a joint team from the Awapalli police station and CRPF battalions. Another 5 kg pressure IED was also detected and demolished during demining activities in a separate operation by CRPF battalions.
The controlled detonation of the IEDs, including the 30 kg device fitted with a switch mechanism targeting large vehicles, prevented potential major attacks. Additionally, security personnel demolished a memorial erected by Maoists in memory of Basavaraju, the former general secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist), who was killed in an encounter in 2025. Basavaraju, known for his expertise in guerrilla tactics and IED fabrication, had a significant role in the Maoist insurgency for many years.
Further operations involved the demolition of additional Maoist memorial structures in forested areas, part of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate the operational and symbolic presence of Maoists in the region. These efforts aim to counter Maoist propaganda and hinder their influence among local communities, contributing to the broader goal of restoring peace in the Bastar division and eradicating Left-wing extremism.
