Gadchiroli Maoist attack: An IED explosion has left at least 10 security personnel injured.At least 15 security personnel were killed in an IED explosion in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra Wednesday noon. The incident comes hours after Maoists set fire to around 30 vehicles in the region.
DIG (Gadchiroli range) Ankush Shinde told The Indian Express, “The Quick Response Team (QRT) was from Kurkheda police station. They were going to Purada village in a private vehicle. The blast occurred at around 12.30 pm near a nullah called Lendari in which 15 of our jawans have become martyrs.”
Asked if the QRT was rushing to the arson spot, Shinde said, “We don’t rush to such spots since it is always fraught with the danger of ambush. I will have to get the ground report about where the QRT was headed.”
Incidentally, the Kurkheda area had long been free from Maoist violence for a long time. Initial photographs from the site show remains of what appears to be remains of a car following the explosion.
News agency ANI reports that exchange of fire is underway between security personnel and Maoists at the site of the blast in Gadchiroli.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared.”
Gadchiroli Maoist attack: Gadchiroli police were patrolling the area in a private vehicle.Late last night, in an act of arson, Maoists set fire to the vehicles deployed for road work in Kurkheda tahsil of Gadchiroli district. Additional Superintendent of Police Hari Balaji told The Indian Express, “there are varying reports about the number of Naxals involved in the act. But information is that a group comprising anything between 40 to 100 Naxals had come to the Dadapur village and set fire to 29 vehicles that included a tar plant, trailer, and tippers.” Read more about it here.
