Consequently, all operations in Maoist hotbeds including the forests of Bhalukbasa, Lakhanpur, Pingboni, Pirakata and Metala have been suspended, say sources, even as an official confirmation is awaited.

Following the recent attacks in Chhattishgarh and Orissa, CRPF and state armed forces have reportedly been instructed to conduct the operation carefully in village areas, while “avoiding forests where there are possibilities of ambushes”.

“After intercepting the conversation of two senior Maoists, it seems landmines have been planted under every culvert and road dug earlier by the PCAPA and Maoists. The entire region seems to be a booby trap,” said a senior police officer, while admitting the morale of the jawans has “touched a low”.

Operation strategies are being reworked after the high casualty suffered by the forces in three states (Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Bengal), said the officer, adding: “Since detectors do not have the range of spotting mines planted five to six feet under the ground, we have contemplated a different technology for detecting mines in the area.”

DGP Bhupinder Singh, however, maintained: “The situation is very sensitive. But, we cannot let Maoists become successful every time. We held a meeting with all senior officials to strategise and prevent mine attacks.”

Adding that the new procedure (for averting landmine attacks) cannot be divulged at this stage, the DGP said: “The jawans are being trained to minimise the chances of being ambushed.”

Telephonic intercepts of Maoists suggest they have drawn up a map of landmine network in the Lalgarh-Jhargram belt. The wires are extended at least 60 to 70 metres inside the dense forests, said the official, adding the Maoists have market specific spots where circuits have been prepared for triggering blasts.

“It seems that Maoists have devised a new technology to carry out more powerful landmine blasts. So, where using 10 kg explosives is enough, they are using about 25 kg to ensure the blast has the strongest possible impact,” said the officer.

And the paranoia has started to reflect in the words of a few jawans. “The situation has become so scary that if a cycle tyre bursts, we start firing. We don’t allow any civilian, including mediapersons, to come towards our camp,” said a jawan in the Kadashole camp, located 3 km away from the spot where a CRPF vehicle was recently blown up by Maoists.

IG (CRPF) Nageswar Rao, however, asserted: “We have lost our men. But the morale of our jawans is not low. We will rework our strategy and the operation will go on.”

The security forces, meanwhile, conducted an operation in village Simli, Jhargram, on Friday morning. No arrests were made.