Raipur: Government may rope in army experts to detect and remove IEDs and mines planted by Naxals, given the limited experience of paramilitary and state police
forces engaged in operation against the ultras.
The move comes following inputs suggesting that the Naxals have planted IEDs and mines in forests of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal to cause maximum casualty to security forces who are conducting operations against them.
Sources said as the paramilitary and state police forces, engaged in anti-Naxal operations, have limited experience in removing IEDs and mines and have suffered maximum casualties in such explosions, efforts are on to mobilise experts in the field.
On May 17, Naxals detonated Improvised Explosive Device with gelatin sticks planted on the metalled road and blew up a civilian bus in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh killing 36 people, including 12 Special Police Officers.
The deadly IED attack by Maoists was strikingly similar to the precision strikes of the LTTE in its battle against Sri Lankan soldiers before being wiped out.
The sources said the Maoists often dig tunnels on either side of a road to reach the concrete top from below to plant the IED.
"In this way, they do not disturb the crust so as to avoid suspicion. The signs of dredging on sides of road can be easily wiped off. Also, in this way they can quickly fit an
IED and carry out the blast in the most effective way," they said.
In a similar use of IEDs early this month, the Maoists
had blown up an armoured vehicle in which CRPF personnel were
travelling, killing eight.
Officials said the same technique was used by the LTTE
against the Lankan forces.
PTI
