Chhattisgarh: ITBP officer killed in IED blast in Bastar

RAIPUR: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was killed and a trooper was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected Maoists went off in Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Monday.

Inspector general (Bastar Range) Sunderaj P said the incident took place around 8.30 am between the jungles of Dondribeda and Sonpur villages. Police said the injured trooper was shifted to Raipur and his condition was out of danger.

“A team of the ITBP’s 53rd battalion was out on patrolling duty to ensure security to a road construction work. The security personnel came in contact with the IED and a blast took place,” said Sunderaj P.

He identified the ASI as Rajendra Singh and the injured trooper as head constable Mahesh Bodro. “[A] combing operation in the area is going on.”

Police said Singh was a resident of Tehri district of Uttarkhand while Bodra is from Maharashtra.