At least nine personnel of the 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a powerful IED blast by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Tuesday. (Express photo)
At least nine personnel of the 212 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and two injured in a powerful IED blast by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Tuesday. Personnel were conducting an area-domination operation in a forest in the Kistaram area when their mine-protected vehicle (MPV) was reportedly blown up, possibly by several explosives.
The injured personnel were airlifted to Raipur, officials said.
Condemning the attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as “deeply distressing”. “Today’s IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh is deeply distressing. I bow to each and every security personnel who attained martyrdom while serving the nation,” he tweeted.
Last April, in the biggest Maoist attack on CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh in the last seven years, 25 jawans were killed and six injured in an ambush in the Burkapal area of Sukma. According to officials, personnel from the 74th Battalion of CRPF were ambushed after emerging from their camp to secure an under-construction road in the area.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also condemned the incident, calling it a "cowardly and shameful" attack by Maoists on the CRPF personnel in Sukma district. "The martyrdom of security personnel who sacrificed their lives while discharging their duties will always be remembered," the chief minister said in a statement. "Maoists feared that the development works in Bastar will uproot them from the region, therefore, they committed such a cowardly and shameful attack," he added.
"It reflects a deteriorating internal security situation due to flawed policies," Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Police officer DM Awasthi said the soldiers were traveling between camps in the Sukma area when their vehicle drove over a land mine, resulting in an explosion. Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also offered her condolences to the martyrs. She posted on Twitter:
As per latest reports, nine CRPF personnel have been killed while two others have been injured in the attack till now.
The injured personnel are being airlifted to Raipur, officials said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he has directed the CRPF DG to leave for Chhattisgarh and take stock of the situation.
"A patrolling party was going from Kistaram to Palodi in an anti-landmine vehicle which was targeted by Naxals with an IED. Extra forces have reached the spot, there is no firing at present," DM Awasthi, Special DG, Anti Naxal Operations, is quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The attack took place in Kistaram, in Sukma district. Access to this area is only through Telangana.
At least eight CRPF jawans were killed in a powerful IED blast in the Kistaram area of Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. Four jawans are in a critical condition. According to official sources, the number of casualities is likely to increase. Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates.