Chhattisgarh encounter
22 bodies of security forces recovered from Maoist encounter site in Chhattisgarh
Sukna/IBNS: Bodies of 17 jawans were recovered on Sunday from the encounter site where security forces clashed with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, taking the death toll to 22, said media reports.
Over 2,000 personnel from at least five camps in Bijapur and Sukma had entered the forest around Tarrem and Bijapur, 60 km from district headquarters, reported Indian Express.
The security forces included teams from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA ( Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF), the report said.
The operation was launched from five places-Tarrem, Usoor and Pamed (in Bijapur) and Narsapuram and Minpa (in Sukma), it added.
The operation was undertaken against one of the most dreaded and wanted Moists Area Commander Hidma of Battalion No.1, stated the report. Hidma is responsible for several attacks on the security foces and is believed to be present in the aea during the attack.
At around 12 noon, the Maoists laid an ambush, leading to an encounter that lasted for three hours. The security personnel were returning from the operation and were trapped in an ambush.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took stock of the situation.
He also directed Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Kuldiep Singh to visit Chhattisgarh to assess the situation.
"I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon," Shah said in a tweet.
I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 4, 2021
On Saturday, PM Modi also consoled the loss of the lives and said the "sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten".
"My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest," he wrote.
My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2021
“The killing of the security personnel while battling Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh is a matter of deep anguish. My condolences to the bereaved families. The nation shares their pain and will never forget this sacrifice,” President Kovind tweeted.
The killing of the security personnel while battling Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh is a matter of deep anguish. My condolences to the bereaved families. The nation shares their pain and will never forget this sacrifice.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 4, 2021
For the last 10 days, security forces in the state were getting tip-offs about the presence of Hidma, who has been also linked to major attacks including the 2013 Jhiram Ghati killings.
Over 30 people, including senior leaders of the Chhattisgarh Congress, were killed in the Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack in 2013.
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