In the recent attack by Maoists in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, that left over 15 C60 commandos of the elite anti-Naxal force of Maharashtra dead, and in the April 9 attack in the Dantewada region of Chhattisgarh in which a BJP lawmaker was killed, the ultras have reportedly used improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In Visakhapatnam district, during combing operations before the April 11 election, security forces unearthed three IEDs in the Madigaruvu region in Visakha Agency.
IEDs have become the mainstay of the banned CPI (Maoist), and the rebels are reportedly using them at will to inflict maximum damage on security forces.
Sources in the Intelligence wing of Andhra Pradesh say that unlike in the past when new recruits were given extensive training in handling weapons such as .303 Lee Enfield rifles, 12 bore guns and SLRs, the senior leaders are now training the young recruits in making IEDs and how to detonate them.
IEDs are easy to make, as there are videos available on a number of websites and can cause maximum damage on the enemy side, said Superintendent of Police of Visakhapatnam Attada Babujee. Moreover, the Maoists have some senior leaders such as Tech Shankar and Tech Kiran, who are experts in making and innovating IEDs, he said.
Most importantly, IEDs can be operated by a team of two to three persons and at times can also be operated remotely.
New ingredient
Though gelatine sticks and ammonium nitrate still continue to be the main ingredients when it comes to the making of IEDs, the Maoists are now focussing on the use of Cordtex. This material is highly dense and a small quantity can have a huge impact, said Mr. Babujee.
Sources in the State Intelligence Bureau said that most of the material is sourced from contractors who are in quarrying or road making jobs, and most of the material is brought into Andhra Pradesh from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.