India, April 21 -- A 26-year-old constable of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) lost his life in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-affected Bijapur district on Monday, police said.

According to a statement issued by the Bijapur police, the blast occurred between Toynar and Farsegarh villages, where a CAF team had been deployed to provide security for an ongoing road construction project. The road, meant to improve connectivity in the remote region, is currently being built between the two villages.

The victim, Manoj Pujari (26) was part of the CAF's 19th battalion and he inadvertently stepped on an IED planted by Maoists, leading to the fatal blast.

Police have launched a search operation in the area ...