IED event in Chhattisgarh, Elarmadgu Camp, Sukma District area, India on Thu 8th October 2026

On October 8, four personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two of them seriously, were injured in an accidental explosion during the disposal of unserviceable explosives near Elarmadgu camp under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma District, Chhattisgarh, reports The Times of India. An Ammunition Technician Team (ATT) of the CRPF’s 50th Battalion had arrived from Jagdalpur to inspect and dispose of leftover explosives stored at camps in Pidmel, Dabbakonta, Kolaiguda and Elarmadgu. The explosion occurred about 200 metres from Elarmadgu camp, near Bodrajpadar nullah, when part of an explosive device was flung from the disposal site and detonated nearby, according to Police. Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) M.K. Tiwari of the ATT and Aneesh Khan of the 50th Battalion sustained serious injuries, while Inspector Amarnath Mishra of the technician team and Head Constable Kuldeep Raj suffered minor injuries. All four received first aid before being taken to a Government Hospital in Konta. Initial reports described the incident as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast during an anti-Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) operation. However, Police clarified that the explosion occurred during the disposal of unserviceable explosives and that there was no indication of Maoist involvement. An inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances of the explosion. The incident occurred months after Chhattisgarh was declared free of armed Maoist presence on March 31, 2026.