12 CRPF men killed, 5 hurt in Maoist ambush in Sukma
HOTBED District is a centre of Leftwing activity; security personnel came under attack when they were on roadopening duty
Twelve security personnel were killed and four injured in a Maoist attack in Bheji area of Sukma district on Saturday morning.
“Troops of A/E 219 battalion were on a road-opening duty and providing security for road construction in the area when they were ambushed. The ambush was followed up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack,” said a CRPF official here.
The injured were brought to Raipur and admitted to a government hospital. The official said three among the five injured are critical.
“The attack was carried out by IEDs and later an ambush took place. Reinforcement has reached the spot and injured have been evacuated,” said a senior police officer.
Ten weapons were looted by Maoists after the attack along with two VHF sets that the CRPF team was carrying. “Since the attack site is an interior area, the only way of communication is through a satellite phone,” said the official.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of slain CRPF personnel “Saddened by the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. Tributes to the martyrs & condolences to their families. May the injured recover quickly,” he tweeted on Saturday.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh arrived here and met the four injured jawans.
Singh along with CM Raman Singh, will proceed to the battalion’s post in Mana camp to pay tribute to the 12 troopers killed in the attack.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi also strongly condemned the attack, calling it dastardly and cowardly.
“India stands united in fight against terrorism and the government should give a befitting reply to the forces spreading terror in India,” she said. 12 33 14
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