Telangana: Three Greyhounds Commandos Killed in IED Blast Triggered by Suspected Maoists

Three commandos from Telangana's elite Greyhounds anti-extremist force were killed and three others were injured in an IED blast triggered by suspected Maoists in Mulugu district on Thursday (May 8).

The incident occurred in the dense Vajedu forest area near Venkatapuram, along the Chhattisgarh border, during a combing operation. Police officials said the commandos were attempting to locate and defuse IEDs planted by Maoists when the explosion occurred at approximately 6 am, reported ETV Bharat. The victims were identified as Reserve Sub-Inspector Randhir and constables Sandeep and Pawan Kalyan.

According to the Director General of Police (DGP), a group of 35–40 armed Maoist cadres, including women, ambushed the police team. They triggered landmines from a distance and opened fire. The police personnel returned fire in self-defense, forcing the Maoists to retreat.

The DGP added that Maoists had recently issued statements and distributed pamphlets warning locals about explosives planted in the Venkatapuram, Wazeedu, and Perur police station areas, advising against movement in these regions. Following this, a combing operation was launched on the night of May 7 to locate these IEDs.

Senior police officials, including the Telangana DGP, paid their respects to the fallen commandos. The injured personnel are undergoing treatment in Warangal.

This incident occurred amid ongoing anti-Naxal operations along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Security forces have been conducting extensive searches in the region for 17 days, during which 22 Maoists were killed in a reported exchange of fire.

The central government has repeatedly stated its commitment to combat left-wing extremism. Following a February 2025 operation in Chhattisgarh that resulted in 31 Maoist casualties, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the goal to eliminate Maoism from the country by March 31, 2026.