Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 6 (HBTV): A 25-kilogram Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, approximately 3 kilometres from Usur village on the Usur-Awapalli main road, was detected and destroyed by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) team, police said on Sunday.

According to Bijapur police, the IED was placed in a plastic container in the middle of the road near Dhan Mandi.

Earlier, in a joint operation, a Naxalite camp was destroyed during an encounter in Bijapur, and a large cache of weapons, including an Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, 12-bore rifle, and BGL Launcher, was recovered, officials said on Saturday.

Two District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel sustained minor injuries during the encounter. However, their condition is stable, and they are out of danger, officials confirmed.

Earlier in the day, a gunfight broke out around 8:30 am in the forest area under Gangaloor police station, where eight Naxalites were killed during an encounter with security forces.

'Eight Naxals have been killed in an ongoing encounter between security forces and Naxals in the jungle under the Gangaloor PS area,' police stated.

The identification process of the deceased members from the West Bastar division Gangaloor Area Committee, Company No. 2, and Militia Company was ongoing. Officials indicated that more Naxalites may have been killed or injured in the encounter.

Reinforcement teams were conducting patrolling and search operations in the surrounding area.

The Naxalites killed in the encounter are believed to be members of the Gangaloor Area Committee, Company No. 2, and Militia Company of the West Bastar division, officials added.

(ANI)