Use of arrow bombs by Maoists worry security forces

TNN | Updated: Apr 6, 2020, 10:39 IST

RANCHI: The recovery of arrow bombs from the possession of the three women Moaist cadres, who were killed in a encounter in East Singhbhum district on Saturday, has sent Jharkhand Police and CRPF into a tizzy. Widely used in Chhattisgarh, Left-wing extremists in Jharkhand have recently started using arrow bombs here.
With a small amount of explosive mounted on an arrow, these bombs have splinters and can cause severe damage after they explode on contact.
CRPF IG Raj Kumar said, “Arrow bombs are used in Chattisgarh. Its adoption by extremists here is certainly a cause of worry. The recovery of a large amount of explosives from extremists also indicate that they have received supplies from somewhere recently. They were in dearth of fire power till the recent past.”
IG (Operation) Saket Kumar Singh opined arrow bombs cab easily be made as it is a traditional weapon in the state. He added that the explosive used in the weapon is also available in the market.
Singh said, “The weapon has the potential to injure three to four jawans after exploding. The weapon can target security personnel from a distance of around 100m. While using villagers as the first line of defence, extremists can also force the latter to use this weapon against the security personnel.”