The State security agencies are concerned about the successful use of Remotely Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) by the Maoists during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections last week. While the red literature is full of references to connections with other terror outfits across the country, the twin blasts at village Gatta in South Gadchiroli on April 10 clearly established their RCIED capabilities, sources in the state security apparatus said. The blasts in the village, which lies along the Chhattisgarh border, injured two commandoes of the Area Dominating (C-60) units who were providing cover to the polling officers of six hyper sensitive booths in the area.
“We have always been convinced of their links with the Islamic outfits. There has been ample literature seized confirming the same. But until now, we were not sure they could carry out a remote blast. The Government machinery will now have to evolve to deal with this new reality,” said source in State intelligence. “We are also worried because timing is paramount in a RCIED which must be triggered in synchronisation with the moving target. This is an enhanced technology.”
The red outfits have until now been using wired short circuits to trigger off explosives. This is followed by an ambush of a naxal dalam of 35-50 guerrillas. While the Gatta attack had followed the same pattern, the twin blasts mounted on bicycle were the only change this time around. In the 2014 elections, four land mine explosions were carried out using the wired short circuits. But in 2019 — which has seen four blasts — injuring six commandos — two have been RCIEDs. A total of 152.30 kilogram of explosive was seized in 2014. There were no landmine blasts in 2015 even as 429 movements of the dalams were reported.
“The 2015 left wing extremism (LWE) scenario indicates the new approach of the Maharashtra Police has ensured a retreat of the maoist and advancement of security forces. The total explosive recovered is only 24.685kgs,” an intelligence report had noted while recording the switch of naxal activities from North Gadchiroli to South, where the twin RCIED blasts took place.
