RichyCapy at 06:02, 3 January 2026

2026-01-03T06:02:45Z

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{{Distinguish|2025 Bijapur clash}}

{{Short description|Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Bijapur Naxal attack
| partof = the [[Naxalite-Maoist insurgency]]
| date = 6 January 2025
| place = [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh|Bijapur district]], [[Chhattisgarh]], India
| combatant1 = {{flagicon image|South Asian Communist Banner.svg}} [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)]]
| combatant2 = {{flag|India}}
| units2 = [[District Reserve Guard]] (DRG)
| strength1 =
| strength2 =
| casualties1 = None
| casualties2 = 9 killed (8 security personnel, 1 civilian driver)
| notes = The attack was carried out using an IED weighing 60–70 kg; it was the largest assault on security forces in the state in two years
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Naxalite insurgency}}{{Campaignbox India terrorism}}
| result = Maoist victory
*Government intensifies anti-naxal and maoist operation
}}

On 6 January 2025, an attack occurred in [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh]], India, where nine individuals were killed, including eight security personnel from the [[District Reserve Guard]] (DRG) and a civilian driver.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian police officers killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist attack |url=https://www.dw.com/en/indian-police-officers-killed-in-chhattisgarh-maoist-attack/a-71226557 |work=dw.com |date=6 January 2025 |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2025 |access-date=13 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113191545/https://www.dw.com/en/indian-police-officers-killed-in-chhattisgarh-maoist-attack/a-71226557 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Eight policemen, driver killed in Maoist attack in central India |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/ten-policemen-feared-killed-bomb-blast-central-india-tv-report-says-2025-01-06/ |work=Reuters |date=6 January 2025}}</ref> The attack was carried out by Naxalites, who planted an [[improvised explosive device]] (IED) weighing between 60 and 70 kg.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Drolia |first1=Rashmi |title=How did 70kg IED go undetected? SOP questions swirl around after Maoist attack |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bijapur-maoist-attack-questions-around-sop-swirl-after-reds-blow-up-convoy/articleshow/117004039.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107075539/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bijapur-maoist-attack-questions-around-sop-swirl-after-reds-blow-up-convoy/articleshow/117004039.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the largest assault by Maoist insurgents on security forces in the state of Chhattisgarh in the past two years.<ref>{{cite news |title=9 killed after Naxals blow up security vehicle with IED in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/9-including-8-chhattisgarh-cops-killed-after-naxals-blow-up-suv-with-ied-in-bijapur/3708531/ |newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]] |date=6 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107061032/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/9-including-8-chhattisgarh-cops-killed-after-naxals-blow-up-suv-with-ied-in-bijapur/3708531/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nine killed in roadside bomb attack in central India |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/6/nine-killed-in-roadside-bomb-attack-in-central-india |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |date=6 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025}}</ref>

== Attack ==
The attack took place on the Bedre-Kutru Road at approximately 2:15 PM [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] near Ambeli village, within the Kutru police station area in Bijapur district. The DRG personnel were returning to their base in [[Dantewada]] after participating in a three-day anti-[[Naxalism|Naxalite]] operation in [[Abujhmarh]] that had resulted in the deaths of five [[Maoists in India|Maoists]]. The vehicle they were traveling in, a [[Mahindra Scorpio|Scorpio]], was destroyed by a powerful [[improvised explosive device]] (IED) planted by the [[Naxals]].<ref name=A>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Rishabh |title=9 killed as Naxals blast security personnel's vehicle in Chhattisgarh |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-bijapur-naxal-ied-blast-security-personnel-dead-injured-125010600653_1.html |newspaper=[[Business Standard]] |date=6 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107061032/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-bijapur-naxal-ied-blast-security-personnel-dead-injured-125010600653_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The explosion caused a [[crater]] about 10 feet deep and 25–30 feet wide in the road and threw the vehicle carrying the security personnel into the air. Debris from the blast was found stuck in trees as high as 25 feet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chhattisgarh: 8 jawans, 1 driver killed in IED blast near Ambeli in Bijapur |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/chhattisgarh-8-jawans-1-driver-killed-in-ied-blast-near-ambeli-in-bijapur |website=Free Press Journal |date=6 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Naidu |first1=Jayprakash S |title=Chhattisgarh: Maoists ambush securitymen on way back from operation, 9 killed |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-naxal-attack-bijapur-police-vehicle-blown-up-9762756/lite/ |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=7 January 2025}}</ref>

Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, confirmed that the IED was likely a "command IED," which is manually triggered from a distance. This particular device was believed to have been planted well in advance, as evidence suggested that grass had grown over the wires connected to it.<ref name=A/>

== Casualties ==
All nine individuals, who were members of the [[District Reserve Guard]] and a civilian driver aboard the vehicle, were killed instantly in the IED blast. Their bodies were dismembered and placed on plastic sheets for evacuation. After the attack, reinforcements were sent to the scene, and security forces began a search operation in the surrounding area.<ref name=cnbc>{{cite news |title=Naxals blow up security personnel vehicle in Chhattisgarh, 9 killed |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/chhattisgarh-bijapur-naxals-ied-attack-on-police-personnel-security-vehicle-casualties-19535201.htm |publisher=[[CNBC TV18]] |date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister [[Vishnu Deo Sai]] expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and condemned the attack as a cowardly act stemming from frustration among Naxals due to ongoing counter-insurgency operations.<ref name=A/>

India's Home Minister [[Amit Shah]] vowed to eliminate [[Naxalism]] from the country by March 2026 and asserted that the sacrifice of those killed by extremists in Chhattisgarh would not be in vain.<ref name=b>{{cite news |title=Amit Shah vows to eliminate Naxals by March 2026 after Chhattisgarh attack |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/amit-shah-vows-to-eliminate-naxals-by-march-2026-after-chhattisgarh-attack-125010600883_1.html |newspaper=[[Business Standard]] |date=6 January 2025}}</ref> Shah expressed his deep sorrow in a post on [[Twitter|X]] in [[Hindi]], stating, 'I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of DRG soldiers in the IED blast in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh). I express my deepest condolences to the families of the brave soldiers. It is impossible to express this grief in words, but I assure the sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain. We will end Naxalism from India by March 2026.'<ref name=b/>

The [[President of India]], [[Droupadi Murmu]], condemned the attack, stating, 'The Maoist attack on security forces in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh is condemnable. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of the nation. Our country is committed to completely eradicating Maoists.'<ref>{{cite news |last1=Drolia |first1=Rashmi |title=Bijapur maoist attack: President Droupadi Murmu expresses condolence on 8 jawans killed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/president-droupadi-murmu-expresses-condolence-on-8-jawans-killed-in-bijapur-maoist-attack/articleshow/117007754.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 January 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109152140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/president-droupadi-murmu-expresses-condolence-on-8-jawans-killed-in-bijapur-maoist-attack/articleshow/117007754.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Speaker of the [[Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly]] and former Chief Minister [[Raman Singh]] condemned the attack, stating, 'Whenever big operations are carried out against them, these Naxalites resort to cowardly attacks. I express my condolences to the families of the jawans who lost their lives in this attack. The significant steps being taken by the Chhattisgarh government and the central government will further strengthen these efforts.'<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sonkar |first1=Lav |title=Bijapur IED blast: बीजापुर में 8 जवान शहीद, पूर्व सीएम डॉ. रमन सिंह ने कहा… |url=https://www.patrika.com/bijapur-news/bijapur-ied-blast-8-soldiers-martyred-in-bijapur-former-cm-dr-raman-singh-said-19292792 |publisher=[[Patrika.com|Patrika]] |date=6 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107064016/https://www.patrika.com/bijapur-news/bijapur-ied-blast-8-soldiers-martyred-in-bijapur-former-cm-dr-raman-singh-said-19292792 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=A/>

Other leaders who paid their condolences include Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister [[Arun Sao]],<ref name=b/> Chhattisgarh Governor [[Ramen Deka]],<ref name=cnbc/> Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha [[Rahul Gandhi]], Lok Sabha MP [[Priyanka Gandhi]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condole demise of security personnel in Bijapur Naxal attack |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-and-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-condole-demise-of-security-personnel-in-bijapur-naxal-attack-101736203259999.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=7 January 2025 |archive-date=8 January 2025 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108173926/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-and-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-condole-demise-of-security-personnel-in-bijapur-naxal-attack-101736203259999.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Congress President [[Mallikarjun Kharge]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rahul Gandhi, Kharge condole soldiers' death in Naxal attack; target govt |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-kharge-condole-soldiers-death-in-naxal-attack-target-govt-125010601266_1.html |newspaper=[[Business Standard]] |date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
In December 2025, Maoist Central Committee member Ganesh Uike, who carried a bounty of over ₹1 crore, was killed in a joint security operation by Odisha Police's Special Operation Group along with CRPF and BSF in Kandhamal district.<ref>{{cite news |title=हिडमा के बाद एक करोड़ का इनामी टॉप नक्सली गणेश उइके भी एनकाउंटर में ढेर |url=https://www.aajtak.in/india/news/story/security-forces-killed-top-naxalite-ganesh-uikey-encounter-odisha-ntc-rpti-2422266-2025-12-25 |work=Aaj Tak |date=25 December 2025 |access-date=25 December 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Road incidents in 2025}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bijapur Naxal attack, 2025}}
[[Category:2025 road incidents in Asia]]
[[Category:2020s in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:January 2025 in India]]
[[Category:January 2025 crimes in Asia]]
[[Category:Car and truck bombings in 2025]]
[[Category:2025 mass murders]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2025]]
[[Category:Assassinations in India]]
[[Category:Car and truck bombings in India]]
[[Category:Road incidents in India]]
[[Category:Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacks]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Chhattisgarh]]
[[Category:Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh|2025 attack]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Asia in 2025]]

2025 Bijapur Naxal attack - Revision history

RichyCapy at 06:02, 3 January 2026