Chhattisgarh: On the afternoon of November 6, 2023, a routine journey to a polling booth in the Rengawahi area of Bhanupratapur took a terrifying turn as Naxal insurgents detonated three improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 PM when a Border Security Force (BSF) operational party, along with polling officials, was en route to their assigned polling station.

The location of the blast was identified as Rengawahi, situated approximately 1500 meters away from the designated polling booth. This area falls between Roadpara and Rengawahi, which has seen its fair share of Naxal activity in the past.

The explosion resulted in one BSF jawan sustaining injuries to both legs, while two polling staff members also suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, all injured individuals were swiftly evacuated to safety and provided with necessary medical treatment.

The injured jawan and polling staff are receiving medical care, and their conditions are reported to be stable. The incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and heightened security measures to protect those who are instrumental in facilitating the democratic process in conflict-prone areas.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced in many regions of Chhattisgarh, particularly in the run-up to elections. Naxal insurgents have a history of targeting security personnel and disrupting democratic processes in the region. Security forces have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety of election officials and voters. /BI/