Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday condemned the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh and expressed anguish at the death of paramilitary and police personnel.
A Congress statement said Gandhi offered his condolences to the families of the security men who lost their lives.
"Condemning the senseless act of violence, Gandhi offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives, and said that his thoughts and prayers were with them in this hour of terrible grief," the release said.
Fifteen security men and a civilian were killed when Maoists ambushed a patrol in a thickly forested area of Chhattisgarh, a short distance from the spot where 27 people were gunned down last year.
An estimated 300 guerrillas attacked the patrol party of 50-55 men from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police on a forested road in Gheeram Ghati.