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Naxal Attack on Security Forces in Chhattisgarh |
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20 Jawans killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh
Twenty jawans have been killed in a Naxal attack in the Sukma district, Chhattisgarh at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. In total, 50 personnel of a team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were attacked by more than 100 Naxalites. Out of the 20 killed, 15 have been identified as CRPF personnel while five are believed to be from the Sukma police.
The DIG of Chhattisgarh Dipanshu Kabra said, “Inspector Subhash of CRPF was leading a team of security personnel. He was also killed. We suspect that the Maoists have escaped towards Odisha border. We have launched STF operations to trace them. Three injured jawans have been shifted to Jadgalpur. Two are of CRPF, one district force.”
Reportedly, the Naxals first stopped the jawans by causing an explosion and then opened fire at them. Cross-firing extended for about three hours in Tongpal (Sukma) near the Jeeram valley.
The Additional Director General of police (anti-Maoist operation) R.K. Vij has stated, “Twenty personnel including 15 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans and five state policemen were killed in the attack. At least five others were injured.”
Previously, 76 security personnel were killed by Naxals in the same region in April 2010.
Also, the site of attack lies in close proximity to the region where the leaders of the Congress party were attacked and killed last year.
On 28 February, five Chhattisgarh policemen were killed by the Naxals near Shyamgiri, Dantewada.
