CAF jawan killed in IED blast in Chhattisgarh

A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) jawan was on Thursday killed in a pressure IED (improvised explosive device) blast, allegedly laid by Naxals, in the state's insurgency-hit Sukma district.

The incident took place near Dharampenta village under Kistaram police station limits when a team of security personnel was patrolling in the region to ensure security to an under-construction culvert, Sukma Superintendent of Police D Shravan told PTI.

The culvert is being constructed on Gulab nullah near Dharampenta, located around 500 km from the state capital Raipur. While the security personnel were cordoning off the spot, constable Dinesh Baghel, belonging to CAF's sixth battalion, inadvertently stepped over a pressure landmine triggering the explosion injuring him critically, the SP said.

He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wounds, Shravan said, adding a combing operation has been launched to trace the assailants.