Four CRPF personnels injured in accidental blast during explosives disposal in Sukma

Chhattisgarh: Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are injured, two seriously, in an accidental explosion during the disposal of unserviceable and leftover explosives near Elarmadgu security camp in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Thursday evening, police say. Authorities clarify that the incident is an accident during explosives disposal, not a Maoist-triggered attack

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The explosion occurs near Bodrajpadar Nala, around 200 metres from the camp under Bheji police station limits. An Ammunition Technical Team (ATT) from the CRPF’s 50th battalion arrives from Jagdalpur to inspect camps in the Konta range and safely dispose of unused explosives. During the operation, a fragment of an explosive flies off, lands nearby and detonates, according to an official.

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The injured are identified as Assistant Sub-Inspectors M K Tiwari and Anees Khan, Inspector Amarnath Mishra and Head Constable Kuldeep Raj. Both ASIs sustain serious injuries, while Mishra and Raj suffer comparatively minor injuries. The personnel receive first aid before being shifted to the government hospital in Konta. Arrangements are being made to transfer the two seriously injured personnel for advanced treatment

Police say the disposal operation is being conducted in accordance with prescribed safety protocols. The incident highlights the risks faced by personnel handling and destroying old or unserviceable explosives during routine security and ammunition-management operations.

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