Kanker, Chhattisgarh: An IED blast rocked the Patkalbeda Village under the Row ghat police station area where an exchange of fire between personnel from the Sahashtra Seems Bal’s 33rd battalion deployed for railway line protection and Naxalites took place in the afternoon. An SSB personnel identified as Surendra Kumar was injured in the incident.

The firing reportedly took place near the Kosarunda camp in the Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. A confirmation about the incident and the casualties was provided by Kanker SP Shalab Sinha. While the injured soldier has been shifted to a medical facility for treatment the forces also recovered IED from the Matwara area in Bijapur.

Two battalions 33rd and 28th were deployed in Tadoki and Row ghat areas of the district since 2016 exclusively for guarding the under construction Dallirajhara Rowghat Railway project. Notably, explosives from a Ghazipur flower market, Delhi and Attari in Amritsar were also recovered today.

In view of the incidents, security forces have been informed to stay put ahead of the Republic Day ceremonies in the capital and on parts of the country. It is speculated the terrorists or anti-national elements may plan explosions in public places and religious spots as the republic day preps are underway.