‘Local detonating wire’, a major concern for security forces in Naxal-hit areas

New Delhi, Oct 12: The local detonating wire which is commonly used in mining operations by the Naxals has been found to be the catalyst behind numerous deadly IED blasts in the Naxal-hit areas.

Security agencies are now mulling options to restrict the sale and usage of the ‘cordtex wire' which is prominently used by Naxal cadre to set up chain of IED blasts.

"The Naxals are using the Cordtex wire to set up and trigger IEDs containing as many as 250-300 locally made bombs in one go. The phenomenon is called ‘daisychain' and this wire acts as a catalyst. A number of IED blasts have been conducted by the ultras using this," a senior officer deployed in the Naxal-hit area has been quoted as saying in PTI report.

The Cordtex wire is much easy to obtain and hence, the Maoist cadre misused it in its operations against security forces. The Cordtex is prepared by embedding explosives and is covered in a plastic sheath which makes it act like a catalyst for blasting explosives inter-twined with its charge ends.

The CRPF has also raised the issue of increasing use of Cordtex wire in IED blasts by Naxals. Recently, it has issued directives to its operational units on the ground to check against its pilferage and study its characteristics.

The IED blasts are the biggest threat to life for security forces operating in Naxal areas and in the past, there have been numerous incidents where such blasts claimed lives and even led to the amputation of limbs of security personnel.

According to a recent blueprint prepared by the CRPF, the paramilitary has decided to increase the number of its bomb disposal squads in each of its anti-Naxal operations battalion and for this specific purpose the force has also increased seats for its officials to learn counter-IED techniques at its niche institute in Pune.

(With agencies inputs)

OneIndia News