Raipur: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive searches at 12 locations across Dantewada and Sukma districts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Friday, in connection with the 2023 Aranpur improvised explosive device (IED) blast and ambush attack. The raids targeted the residences and premises of individuals suspected to have links with the banned CPI (Maoist), authorities said on Saturday.

The operation focused on suspects connected to the Darbha Division Committee of the Maoists, who orchestrated the deadly attack near Pedka village under Aranpur police station limits in Dantewada district on April 26, 2023. The incident had claimed the lives of 10 policemen and the driver of their vehicle, intensifying scrutiny of security measures in Bastar and prompting a coordinated central investigation.

According to an official statement issued by the NIA, the searches yielded a significant cache of incriminating materials. Recovered items included cash, handwritten letters, printed receipt books believed to be associated with levy collections by Maoist cadres, and several digital devices linked to the suspects. The agency confirmed that these individuals were directly associated with CPI (Maoist) members involved in the attack.

The 2023 Aranpur attack had occurred when a four-vehicle police convoy was returning from an anti-Maoist operation approximately 75 kilometers away. The team was traveling in an unprotected, rented minivan when the IED detonated barely 700 meters from the Aranpur police station. The attack highlighted potential lapses in standard operating procedures and raised questions about security preparedness in the region.

The NIA has been actively investigating the case since the incident. So far, two charge sheets have been filed, implicating 27 individuals who have been arrested in connection with the attack. The ongoing investigation aims to map the broader network of Maoist operatives responsible for planning and executing the ambush, as well as identifying any logistical and operational support structures aiding them.

Bastar, known for its dense forests and history of insurgency-related violence, remains a challenging terrain for security operations. Maoist groups in the region have long relied on ambush tactics and improvised explosive devices to target law enforcement personnel, making counter-insurgency measures both complex and high-risk. The 2023 Aranpur attack is considered one of the deadliest in recent years, prompting intensified intelligence gathering and coordinated operations by central and state agencies.

The NIA’s raids are part of a broader effort to dismantle Maoist networks, curtail financing activities such as forced levy collections, and neutralize local cadres involved in violent operations. Authorities emphasized that the seizures of cash, handwritten communications, and digital evidence are expected to provide critical leads in understanding the organizational structure of the Darbha Division Committee and planning further arrests.

Officials also noted that the incident underscored the need for stricter adherence to standard operating procedures for police convoys operating in Maoist-affected zones. The investigation is examining gaps that may have contributed to the vulnerability of the convoy and exploring measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The NIA continues to coordinate with Chhattisgarh Police, local intelligence units, and other central agencies to ensure a comprehensive approach to counter-insurgency operations. As investigations progress, authorities are expected to release further updates on arrests, evidence recovered, and the identification of additional Maoist operatives involved in the Aranpur attack.

The Bastar region, while rich in tribal heritage and natural resources, remains a flashpoint for Maoist activities. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of intelligence-driven operations to disrupt insurgent networks and safeguard security personnel and civilians alike. The recent raids by the NIA reinforce the central government’s commitment to tackling left-wing extremism and ensuring that perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.

With further investigation underway, the NIA has reiterated that the action against the accused individuals is ongoing, and more developments are likely to emerge in the coming weeks. The agency remains focused on gathering comprehensive evidence, mapping the operational strategies of Maoist cadres, and preventing future attacks in the sensitive Bastar region.

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