Bijapur, Jul 14: In a tragic incident near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, three tribal villagers, including a minor girl, were seriously injured in a landmine explosion allegedly planted by Maoists.

The blast occurred in the forest near Dhanagol village under Usur police limits in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh.

According to reports, the victims — members of a tribal family — had ventured into the forest to collect mushrooms when one of them accidentally stepped on a pressure-triggered IED (Improvised Explosive Device). The device, believed to have been planted earlier by Maoist insurgents, detonated instantly, causing severe injuries.

The injured were rushed to the Bijapur District Hospital for emergency treatment. Medical officials confirmed that all three victims are in critical condition and are receiving intensive care.

The incident has sparked concern among local residents and authorities, highlighting the persistent threat posed by landmines and IEDs in Maoist-affected regions. Security forces have launched a search operation in the area to detect and defuse any remaining explosives.

This incident underscores the dangers faced by tribal communities living in conflict zones, where routine activities like forest gathering can turn deadly due to hidden explosives.

Bijapur district, which borders Odisha’s Malkangiri, has long been a hotspot for Maoist activity. Despite ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, the presence of landmines continues to pose a serious risk to civilians.

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