Updated March 22nd, 2020 at 22:29 IST

17 security personnel martyred in Sukma by Maoists; PM Modi & Amit Shah condemn attack

17 security personnel which included members of the DRG and the STF were martyred in an encounter with Maoists in the Minpa forests of Sukma, Chhattisgarh.

Reported by: Akhil Oka
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17 security personnel which included members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) were martyred in an encounter with Maoists in the Minpa forests of Sukma in Chhattisgarh. Their bodies were discovered by a search team on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, nearly 600 personnel belonging to DRG- a specially created force of local youth aware of jungle warfare, STF and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) launched an anti-Maoist operation towards Elmagunda from three sides. However, a group of 250 heavily armed Maoists ambushed a patrolling team in the Chintagufa area at around 2.30 pm.  

15 other security personnel were injured in the gun battle which lasted for two and a half hours. They were airlifted to Raipur for further treatment. As per sources, nearly 16 automatic weapons including AK47 and an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) were stolen by the Maoists. Later, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel visited the hospital where the injured jawans were admitted and chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation.

Read: Forces Going Deeper Into Maoist Strongholds With More Sky And Ground Intelligence: CRPF DG

Read: Maharashtra: Women Officers Deployed In Remote Areas Of Maoist-affected Gadhchiroli

PM Modi condemns Maoist attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Maoist attack in Sukma. Paying his tributes to the martyred security personnel, he stressed that their valour would never be forgotten. The PM also expressed hope for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel. Reacting to this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs. He also vowed that India would win the battle against the Maoist terror. 

Read: Unhappy With Pro-Pak Slogan, Amulya's Dad Nonetheless Refutes CM BSY's 'Maoist Link' Claim

Read: Maoist Carrying Rs 2 Lakh Bounty Surrenders In Odisha

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Published March 22nd, 2020 at 22:29 IST