Eleven CRPF personnel were killed and five others injured in a Maoist attack in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths, while Home Minister Rajnath Singh is to visit Sukma.
In Raipur, Special Director General (Naxal Operation and Special Intelligence Bureau) D.M. Avasthi told reporters that 110 jawans from Battalion 219 of the Central Reserve Police Force were on a road opening duty when they were ambushed near Kotacheru village in Bhejji of Sukma district, in tribal Bastar region.
"The ambush was followed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in which 11 jawans died," Avasthi said.
Five CRPF personnel were injured in the attack. The Maoists also looted weapons from the dead personnel.
The five injured jawans were being brought to Raipur by a helicopter.
"Saddened by the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. Tributes to the martyrs and condolences to their families. May the injured recover quickly," Modi said in a tweet.
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"Spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh Ji on the situation in Sukma. He is going to Sukma to take stock of the situation," he said.
The Home Minister said: "Deeply pained to learn of the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased."
Praising the personnel who died, Chief Minister Raman Singh said: "The CRPF jawans have displayed immense courage and indomitable spirit."
--IANS
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