In summer, Naxals adopt a different strategy to trap security forces in the conflict zone of Bastar in Chhattisgarh by drawing the thirsty troopers, deployed in anti-Maoist operations, to a nearby water body and then ambushing them.
Intelligence said the forces engaged in anti-Maoist operations in Bastar jungles often walk into Naxals’ trap while searching for water sources like ponds, rivers or rivulets. The rebels, who follow the forces in the jungles during the search operations, use their local sympathisers to guide the troopers to the nearby water sources, where they lay the trap.
“Drying water bodies pose a serious problem for security forces involved in anti-Naxal operations in the Bastar jungles in summer. The number of casualties in forces following ambushes by rebels near ponds or river banks in Bastar jungles has been found to be sizeable during the period,” an intelligence officer told this newspaper here on Tuesday requesting anonymity.
According to him, security personnel deployed in anti-Naxal operations in Bastar jungles are given dry food and a bottle of drinking water. The forces usually spend 2-3 days in jungles during search operations. A bottle of water is found grossly inadequate to them.
Hence, they are forced to look for water bodies in the forested areas during the period and get trapped by the Naxals.
Although, the forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations have been trained in guerrilla warfare tactics which help them tap water sources in plants and snakes. They have mastered the art of cutting a snake’s head to drink its blood to quench their thirst.