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Sixteen security personnel were martyred in an IED blast by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli, on Wednesday. The blast was executed by Naxals on a police vehicle which was carrying them.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack.
"Strongly condemn despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. Salute all brave personnel.Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with bereaved families. Perpetrators of such violence will not be spared," tweeted PM Modi.
"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," said Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
"Spoke to Maharashtra CM Shri @Dev_Fadnavis regarding the tragic incident in Gadchiroli and expressed my grief at the loss of brave Police personnel. We are providing all assistance needed by the state government. MHA is in constant touch with the state administration," Singh added.
Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by naxals today.
— Chowkidar Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 1, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs’ families.
I’m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP.#Gadchiroli
In another incident, during the wee hours of Wednesday, Naxals had torched around 25 vehicles of a road construction company in Gadchiroli district.
"A group of Maoists gathered around 3.30 am at Dadapur where the construction of a national highway has been going on since the last few months," said Shailesh Balkawade, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli.
They torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, the officer added.
"After setting the vehicles on fire, the Naxals escaped into the forest. A search operation has been launched," he said.
A formal complaint about the incident is yet to be lodged, Balkawade said.
Maharashtra: Naxals have set ablaze 27 machines and vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli district. pic.twitter.com/62c6iNuJU2
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019
(With inputs from agencies)