NEW DELHI – Nine Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF) personnel were killed and three injured in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Tuesday.
The Communist Party of India also known as Maoists targets the Indian security forces as part of its annual tactical counteroffensive campaign (TCOC) between February and June every year.
The soldiers were travelling from Kistaram to Palodi camp in Sukma when the attack was carried out. Sukma SP Abhishek Meena had passed by the place of attack just before it occurred; however, it is yet to confirm whether he was the target.
Hindustan Times citing CRPF chief RR Bhatnagar, who visited the district to analyse the situation, said that the SP was to visit forward post at Palodi. He added, “Around half a dozen advance parties of the CRPF’s CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units on foot and motorcycle had gone ahead; Maoists tried to ambush some of these parties but they ran away after return of fire at around 8am”.
“The MPV [mine protected vehicle] that was carrying troopers coming back from leave was targeted at 12.30pm with a powerful landmine blast which ripped the vehicle apart,” said Bhatnagar.
CRPF officials said that MPV’s provide security to certain grade of IEDs with explosives up to 40 kg in Maoists areas, where several MPVs have been deployed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his condolence message said, “My thoughts are with the families and friends of the brave martyrs. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this hour of grief”.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/973544966961033216
Sukma in south Chhattisgarh, about 480km from state capital Raipur, has a history of bloody conflict between troops and Maoists.
CPI (Maoist) is designated as a terrorist organisation in India under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
