Suspected Maoists Trigger Twin IED Blasts on Railway Tracks Along Odisha-Jharkhand Border

In a fresh escalation of suspected Maoist activity, two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts were reported on railway tracks along the Odisha-Jharkhand border on Sunday night, causing damage to critical rail infrastructure, police said on Monday.

According to officials, the twin explosions occurred at separate locations near the inter-state border, targeting railway lines used for both passenger and goods movement. Though no casualties were reported in these latest incidents, the blasts have severely disrupted train operations in the affected areas.

These attacks follow closely on the heels of another IED blast earlier in the day in Odisha’s Sundergarh district, in which a railway staff member was killed. The spate of explosions has triggered heightened security alerts across bordering districts of both Odisha and Jharkhand.

“Preliminary evidence suggests the involvement of Maoist operatives in both incidents. Investigations are ongoing, and bomb squads, along with security forces, are combing the area,” said a senior police officer.

Railway officials confirmed that train services were halted temporarily while emergency repair teams were dispatched to the sites. Passenger safety remains the top priority, they added.

Security has been tightened along railway routes in the region, with additional forces deployed to prevent further sabotage. Intelligence agencies have been directed to intensify surveillance to preempt further attacks.

The attacks come amid Maoist calls for bandh and heightened activities in tribal belts across the region, raising concerns about renewed insurgency tactics targeting infrastructure and law enforcement.

Further updates are expected as authorities continue to assess the damage and track down those responsible.