Gadchiroli Maoist Attack LIVE Updates: Maoists Will Pay a Heavy Price, Warns Union Min Nitin Gadkari

Union minister General VK Singh condemns Gadchiroli naxal attack. 

My heartfelt condolences to families of Martyrs. A very sad incident and I agree with sentiments expressed by @MajorPoonia . https://t.co/Y8Ied8bT81

— Chowkidar Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) May 1, 2019

“Deeply shocked to hear the news of martyrdom of our 15 Jawans in #Gadchiroli. I condemn this cowardice attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & pray for speedy recovery of the injured. Whose failure is this MR. Chowkidar @narendramodi?,” asks RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

Deeply Shocked to hear the news of martyrdom of our 15 Jawans in #Gadchiroli. I condemn this cowardice attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & pray for speedy recovery of the injured.

Whose failure is this MR. Chowkidar @narendramodi?

Opposition? Say..Yes!

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 1, 2019

Veteran artist Shabana Azmi condemns the Gadchiroli attack. “Will there be no let up to violence ? Deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hope that no perpetrator is allowed to go free,” she asks.

The Gladchiroli attack is vicious and condemnable.Will there be no let up to violence ? Deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hope that no perpetrator is allowed to go free.

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) May 1, 2019

Samajwadi Party chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav tweets on Gadchiroli attack. He expresses condolences to the families of the slain jawans. 

महाराष्ट्र- गढ़चिरौली में नक्सलियों द्वारा की गई कायराना हरकत की कड़ी भर्त्सना। हमले में शहीद हुए जवानों के परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना। ईश्वर शोक संतप्त परिवारों को इस संकट को सहन करने की शक्ति प्रदान करे। घायल जवानों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना।

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 1, 2019

President Kovind condemns Gadchiroli attack in strong terms. He says entire nation stands united against ‘such violence’.

Strongly condemn the terror attack in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. Thoughts and prayers with the families of police personnel killed, and wishing an early recovery to those injured. The entire nation stands united in the fight against such violence #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 1, 2019

BJP president Amit Shah condemned Wednesday's Naxal attack on police personnel in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli and described it as an act of cowardice and desperation.  “Anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our security personnel in the Gadchiroli area of Maharashtra. Loss of life of these brave soldiers is an irreparable loss. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. My deepest condolences with the bereaved families,” said Shah on Twitter.

Anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our security personnel in the Gadchiroli area of Maharashtra. Loss of life of these brave soldiers is an irreparable loss. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. My deepest condolences with the bereaved families.

— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 1, 2019

Amit Shah Condemns Naxal Attack in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli | BJP president Amit Shah condemned Wednesday's Naxal attack on police personnel in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli and described it as an act of cowardice and desperation. "Naxalites attacked Maharashtra Police personnel in Gadchiroli. I have come to know that 16 people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals. This is an act of cowardice and desperation "I pay my respect to those killed in the attack and wish quick recovery of the injured people. Our government will extend all help," Shah said while addressing election rallies at Panchla and Arambagh.

Stating that the extremists' activities in Maharashtra were on the rise in the state, the former chief minister said it was the result of

Maharashtra NCP chief and former state home minister Jayant Patil said the Naxals deliberately struck on the state's foundation day as they wanted to "demoralise" the forces and residents of the state. 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' statement on Wednesday's Maoist attack. 

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: 15 jawans from Gadchiroli C-60 force&driver of vehicle they were travelling in, were martyred in landmine blast,condemn this attack;their sacrifice won't go in vain. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured all type of assistance from Central govt pic.twitter.com/CuRfKHlgXO

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019

Union minister Nitin Gadkari says the Maoists have to pay a heavy price for this attack. “Tribute to the brave soldiers who were martyred in the attack on Maoists in our security forces in Gadchiroli. The Maoists will have to pay a heavy price for this action,” he said.

गडचिरोली में माओवादियों द्वारा हमारे सुरक्षा दलों पर किए गए हमले में शहिद हुए वीर जवानों को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। माओवादियों को इस कायराना हरकत की भारी कीमत चुकानी पड़ेगी।

— Chowkidar Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) May 1, 2019

Sharad Pawar demands resignation of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. “On Maharashtra Day,16 SRPF jawans have lost their lives. Fadnavis is the Home minister too. He should have some shame. He should have tendered resignation if he had shame. But right now, there is no other alternative than condemning the attack and expressing grief for the loss of our jawans,” tweeted Pawar.

महाराष्ट्रात नक्षलवाद्यांच्या कारवाया नित्याची बाब झाली आहे. राज्यकर्त्यांकडून नक्षलग्रस्त भागातील कायदा व सुव्यवस्थेकडे दुर्लक्ष झाल्याचा हा परिणाम आहे. महाराष्ट्र दिनी गडचिरोलीतील जांभूरखेडा भागात नक्षलवाद्यांनी पेरलेल्या भुसुरुंगाच्या स्फोटात १६ एसआरपीएफ जवान मृत्यूमुखी पडले. pic.twitter.com/JMR2YqoIC5

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 1, 2019

NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra CM Sharad Pawar alleges that the activities of Naxalites in Maharashtra have increased as a result of poor law and order.

महाराष्ट्रात नक्षलवाद्यांच्या कारवाया नित्याची बाब झाली आहे. राज्यकर्त्यांकडून नक्षलग्रस्त भागातील कायदा व सुव्यवस्थेकडे दुर्लक्ष झाल्याचा हा परिणाम आहे. महाराष्ट्र दिनी गडचिरोलीतील जांभूरखेडा भागात नक्षलवाद्यांनी पेरलेल्या भुसुरुंगाच्या स्फोटात १६ एसआरपीएफ जवान मृत्यूमुखी पडले. pic.twitter.com/JMR2YqoIC5

— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 1, 2019

Maharashtra Director General of Police Subodh Kumar Jaiswal said Wednesday that the Naxal attack in Gadchiroli in which 15 police personnel were killed was not a result of intelligence failure. Terming it a "big loss" for the force, Jaiswal said that police "were ready to give a befitting reply to the Naxals". "I cannot call this an intelligence failure... The Maharashtra police will take whatever action needed against such activities. It is a big loss for Maharashtra police," Jaiswal said. The Naxals want to overthrow the state, he said.

Devendra Fadnavis: Gadchiroli incident is highly condemnable. 16 police personnel have been killed including a driver. An appropriate response will be given to the perpetrators. The police and our government are fighting against such elements. Rajnath Singh has spoken to me. We have been ensured all possible help. An appropriate enquiry will be ordered by the state govt.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis: We stand by the bereaved families. The attacks are highly condemnable. The attack won't demoralise our forces. 

Sources said the attack is revenge for the encounters conducted by the commando unit in the region last year, in which 40 Maoist cadres were killed.

Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker condemns the Naxal attacks in Gadchiroli. “Dastardly, inhuman & reflects the utterly degenerate mindset of the so-called ‘revolutionaries’. Ultra left & anarchist violence weakens democracy, hurts the poor. The state must crack down on perpetrators & ensure justice,” she said.

I totally condemn Naxal attack in Gadchiroli, killing 16. Dastardly, inhuman & reflects the utterly degenerate mindset of the so-called ‘revolutionaries’. Ultra left & anarchist violence weakens democracy, hurts the poor. The state must crack down on perpetrators & ensure justice

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) May 1, 2019

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condems Gadchiroli Maoist attack. “In this hour of grief I and the Congress Party are with the families of the martyrs. The entire country is against this fierce violence by the Maoists. We will unite to defeat this violent ideology,” she wrote.

महाराष्ट्र के गढ़चिरौली में नक्सली हिंसा में मारे गए जवानों को श्रद्धांजलि। दुःख की इस घड़ी में मैं और कांग्रेस पार्टी शहीदों के परिवारों के साथ है। पूरा देश माओवादियों द्वारा की गई इस भवावह हिंसा के खिलाफ है। हम एकजुट होकर इस हिंसक विचारधारा को हराएंगे।

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 1, 2019

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Wednesday's Naxal attack in Gadchiroli, in which 15 police personnel and a civilian were killed, stating that the Naxal menace will be fought with stronger efforts. "Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by Naxals today. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs' families. I am in touch with the DGP and the Gadchiroli SP," he said in a statement. "I strongly condemn this attack and we will fight this menace with even stronger efforts," the chief minister added. Fadnavis said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him about the situation. At least 16 persons, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Wednesday.

Subodh Jaiswal, DGP Maharashtra: We are prepared to give a befitting reply to this attack (Gadchiroli Naxal attack); Operations are going on in the area to ensure that no further casualties take place.

Subodh Jaiswal, DGP Maharashtra: It would not be right to term this as an intelligence failure. It is a dastardly attack, we will try our best that such incidents are not repeated. Our people are present at the spot, more information will come out by today evening.

Governor Cancels Maharashtra Day Reception After Naxal Attack | The Governor of Maharashtra CH Vidyasagar Rao cancels the reception and cultural programme organised at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai today, as a mark of respect to the police personnel who lost their lives in the Naxal attack in Gadchirloi district. 

Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal says the attack on 16 jawans in Maharashtra must be condemned in strongest terms. 

Extremely sad and shocking news from Gadchiroli.
The naxal attack on security forces killing 16 jawans must be condemned in strongest terms.
May God give courage to their families to bear the irreparable losses.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 1, 2019

Vice President of India Venkiah Naidu calls the maoist attack a sensless attack aimed to "derail peace and progress" and condemns the act. 

I condemn the dastardly attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli today. This senseless attack on our forces is a clear attempt to derail peace and progress. I convey my heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved families. #Gadchiroli

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) May 1, 2019

Maharashtra DGP Subodh Jaswal is currently addressing the media. "At 12:30 pm today, a quick reaction team was ambushed on its way/ 15 of them lost their lives. The driver of the bus was also killed. The act was done by the Naxals," he says. 

At least 16 people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Gadchiroli district. Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli police, which was on way to inspect a fleet of torched vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor

Rajanth Singh in Touch with Maharashtra CM | The Home Minister goes on to say that he is in touch with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis regarding the tragic incident and is providing the required assistance to the state government. Singh added that the Ministry of Home Affairs is constantly in touch with the state administration. 

Union Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to condemn the Maoist attacks in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli that killed 15 security personnel, calling it an 'act of cowardice'. "We are extremely proud of the valour of our police personnel. Their supreme sacrifice while serving the nation will not go in vain. My deepest condolences to their families," he writes. 

Attack on Maharashtra Police personnel in Gadchiroli is an act of cowardice and desperation. We are extremely proud of the valour of our police personnel. Their supreme sacrifice while serving the nation will not go in vain. My deepest condolences to their families. 1/2

— Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 1, 2019

Congress Condemns Attacks | After a Naxal-triggered IED blast claimed the lives of 16 security personnel in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli, the Congress released an official statement condemning the attack on Twitter. "We strongly condemn this act of violence & salute our brave hearts for their sacrifice & service. We pray for the families of the victims & wish the injured a swift recovery," it says. 

We are deeply saddened by the deadly attack on our jawans. We strongly condemn this act of violence & salute our brave hearts for their sacrifice & service. We pray for the families of the victims & wish the injured a swift recovery.

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 1, 2019