Picture : Twitter / ANI
Police recovered bullet-riddled bodies of 17 jawans in the jungles of Chattisgarh near the Sukma-Bijapur border, raising to 22 the number of security personnel killed in a fierce gunbattle with Naxals the previous day — the biggest massacre in more than a year that also left 30 injured.
A group of an estimated 400 Maoists, armed with LMGs, had ambushed security forces deployed for a special operation, killing at least 22 personnel and injuring 30 others, besides decamping with over a dozen sophisticated arms, officials said
Police also recovered the bodies of three jawans killed in the encounter, an official said, adding that a search operation is on in the forest.
The firing between Naxals and security personnel went on for 4 hours. Naxals have suffered heavy losses. The martyrdom of our security personnel will not go in vain, said Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on Sukma Naxal attack
On the basis of latest information, the bodies of 22 soldiers have been recovered. 31 injured soldiers have been hospitalized & are in stable condition. 1 CoBRA soldier is missing, search operation on, said P Sundarraj, IG Bastar on Naxal attack.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel today met security forces who were injured in the Naxal attack in Bijapur yesterday, at Ramkrishna Care Hospital in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/S1LvdAUEEo
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2021
The dead include personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the official said.
It was not clear how many were from which unit.
Eighteen jawans were missing after five security personnel were killed on Saturday in the fierce gun battle with Naxals in a forest along the border between Bijapur and Sukma districts in Chhattisgarh, police had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his reaction
My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2021
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took stock of the situation following the incident, officials said. Shah also directed CRPF’s Director General Kuldiep Singh to visit Chhattisgarh to assess the situation.
Amit Shah , later tweeted his reaction to the attack
I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 4, 2021
Rahul Gandhi in a tweet wrote, My condolences to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in combat in Chhattisgarh. Decisive action needs to be taken to locate & rescue the missing Jawans.
I appeal to the State Govt to ensure best care for a speedy recovery of the injured.
My condolences to the families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in combat in Chhattisgarh.
Decisive action needs to be taken to locate & rescue the missing Jawans.
I appeal to the State Govt to ensure best care for a speedy recovery of the injured.— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 4, 2021
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has said all are united in the resolve to combat naxalism and her party’s government in Chhattisgarh will continue to provide all assistance to the paramilitary forces in fighting the menace with full rigour.
In a statement, she said the entire country bows before the martyrdom of 22 jawans in a gruesome Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur.
“I pay homage to these jawans who have given their lives, and heartfelt condolences to their families. The nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude to them.
“I fervently hope for the return of our missing soldiers, and look forward to the complete recovery of those injured,” Gandhi said.
“We are united in our resolve to combat naxalism. The Chhattisgarh Congress government shall continue to provide all assistance to our central paramilitary forces in fighting naxalism with full rigour,” she added.
