Bijapur Naxal Attack: 11 DRG, Cobra Jawans Injured in IED Blast, Home Minister Vows Naxal-Free Chhattisgarh

• Eleven security personnel, including 10 DRG and one Cobra Battalion jawan, were injured in an IED blast during an anti-Naxal operation in Bijapur's Karregutta hills.
• The injured personnel were airlifted to a hospital in Raipur for treatment; all are reported to be out of danger.
• The incident occurred in an area previously considered a Maoist stronghold, where security forces had established a camp last November.
• Last April-May, a 21-day operation in the Karregutta hills resulted in 31 Naxalites killed and significant arms and explosives seized.
• Home Minister Vijay Sharma stated that Naxalites, frustrated by the dismantling of their stronghold, planted new IEDs and reiterated the goal of making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31.

Why It Matters: Naxal attack injures 11 jawans in Bijapur; Home Minister pledges Naxal-free Chhattisgarh by March 31.