RAIPUR: A day after 10 Jawans and a civilian were killed in the IED blast triggered by the Naxals, the banned outfit in Aranpur has confessed to having planted the IED. Darbha Divisional Committee Secretary confirmed the confession stating that a letter was issued where the Naxals mentioned the attack as revenge for the government-monitored attacks on their community. In the letter, the radicals urged the youth to abstain from joining Govt police forces.
Meanwhile, in a media interaction, the driver of the other vehicle that followed the ill-fated MUV said he won’t be able to forget the day long as he lives. “My vehicle was in the second position in the convoy. Seven security personnel were traveling in my vehicle. I slowed down the vehicle 150-200 meters before the spot where the blast took place to chew pan masala. The vehicle which was behind us overtook us and suddenly an explosion occurred. I think my vehicle was the target but God saved us,” said the driver, in his mid-20s.
An alert has been sounded in all seven districts of the Naxal-dominated area following the deadliest attack in 2 years. Security forces have been asked to move cautiously while traveling in a vehicle or exploring sites on foot.
Visuals of the blast have gone viral on social media. Security personnel trailing the vehicle are seen jumping out of their vehicle to take a position on the ground. Sounds of bullets can also be heard in one of the visuals and a person can be heard saying ‘pura udd gaya’ (completely blown up) in the background.
Earlier in the day, DGP Juneja along with Bastar IG and other personnel arrived at the spot to take assess the spot. Visuals from Pedka Road, Aranpur where the incident took place show personnel searching the area. A 10 feet deep cater has formed at the site of the blast splitting the road. Experts predict a 4o kg bomb was used to blow up the vehicle.
Nearly 200 security personnel from CRPF and state police’s DRG launched an operation from Dantewada district headquarters on Tuesday night after getting information about the presence of Maoists belonging to the Darbha division in the area, police had said.