The Deadly Legacy of Maoist Insurgency: Hidden Landmines Still Terrorize Rural India

Although India has declared the end of the decades-long Maoist insurgency, its lethal legacy remains deeply embedded in rural life. Hundreds of landmines buried along forest paths, fields, and riverbanks continue to pose a constant threat to both civilians and security personnel.

For years, Maoist fighters planted pressure-activated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) across vast forest regions in central India. These explosives were often hidden beneath dirt roads or jungle trails, making them extremely difficult to detect. Despite being made from simple materials—gelatin, ball bearings, and metal scraps—they have proven to be highly lethal.

At the height of the insurgency in the mid-2000s, Maoists held influence over nearly a third of the country, claiming to fight for the rights of indigenous communities in forest regions. However, following recent operations by Indian security forces, the government has declared the country free from Maoist influence.

Yet, the danger from buried explosives persists. 23-year-old Kishan Hapka, a member of the District Reserve Guard, stated, "The biggest fear for a soldier is not bullets, but these pressure-activated IEDs, because you never know when you might step on one." He lost his left leg in such an explosion in 2024, an incident in which three other soldiers were killed. He is now limited to administrative duties with the help of a prosthetic leg.

In the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, once considered a Maoist stronghold, approximately 500 security personnel have been killed and over a thousand injured in such explosions over the last 25 years. While these explosives were primarily aimed at security forces, local indigenous communities have suffered equally, with over 150 civilians killed and more than 250 injured.

65-year-old Tama Jogi is one such victim. Last summer, while grazing cattle in the forest, she unknowingly stepped on an explosive. The blast severely damaged her right leg. "My ears stopped hearing anything and I lost consciousness," she recalled. She later woke up in a hospital to find that doctors had to amputate her other leg to save her life, leaving her completely disabled.

Government policy only covers medical expenses for security personnel injured in the line of duty. Jogi's family faces further hardship as her son has been arrested on charges of Maoist links, an accusation she denies.

State officials acknowledge that these explosives remain widespread. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stated, "These IEDs could be buried anywhere—near ponds, along roadsides, or by rivers." According to him, dozens of explosives are being defused daily, but the problem remains significant.

35-year-old Raju Modiyam from Lankapalli village has also suffered. In January, while going fishing, he chose a familiar path, believing it to be safe. However, he stepped on a hidden explosive, severely destroying his leg. "When I looked at my leg, it was shattered, and there was blood everywhere," he said. After treatment, he lost his leg.

His financially struggling family cannot afford a prosthetic leg. His 21-year-old wife, Jayamma, said, "We do not have the money needed for a prosthetic leg." As their livelihood depends on the forest, they are now facing even greater difficulties.

According to police, about 900 explosives were recovered in the Bastar region last year, and 300 have already been seized in the first three months of 2026. Local police chief Sundarraj P. stated that the region is not yet in a position to be declared completely IED-free, noting that the complex geography of Bastar makes resolving the issue challenging.