In a shocking incident from Chhattisgarh’s remote Bijapur district, a man endured unimaginable pain after stepping on a Maoist-planted pressure-activated IED in the dense Lankapalli jungle on Friday. Raju Modiyami, the victim, suffered severe injuries to his right heel, which was completely shattered in the powerful blast.
Despite profuse bleeding and excruciating agony, Modiyami displayed remarkable resilience. He limped through treacherous forest terrain for nearly seven kilometers to reach the nearest community health center. Medical staff there provided immediate first aid before referring him to Bijapur district hospital for advanced treatment.
Doctors at the hospital report that Modiyami’s condition remains critical. They are working tirelessly to repair the damaged heel and address complications from the explosion. His story of survival has inspired locals, highlighting the human spirit’s endurance in the face of terror.
Maoist insurgents frequently deploy these deadly improvised explosive devices in Bastar division hotspots like Bijapur to target security forces. Tragically, innocent civilians foraging for livelihood in the jungles often become unintended victims. Police have launched extensive searches in Lankapalli to neutralize any remaining IEDs and prevent further casualties among tribal communities dependent on forest resources.
This incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by Naxalites in India’s heartland. Just recently, security forces achieved a major breakthrough by eliminating six Maoists, including four women cadres, in a fierce encounter in the same district. Joint teams from District Reserve Guard, CoBRA, and Special Task Force delivered a significant blow to rebel operations.
As operations intensify, authorities emphasize the need for heightened vigilance to protect vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.