CRPF to go for more counter-insurgency ops in Maoist-hit areas
LOOKING AHEAD These measures will help to secure the road construction work that will bring development to these remote areas
The CRPF has decided to enhance the number of lethal counter-insurgency operations in the worst Naxal hit south Bastar region of Chhattisgarh after its 37 men were killed in recent Naxal attacks in the Sukma district.
Acting Director General (DG) of the CRPF, Sudeep Lakhtakia said the ambush has “naturally called for the revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)” in these areas. He said the force has decided to undertake these new measures as it will continue to secure the road construction that will bring development to these remote areas.
“We have decided to change the strategy. We have learnt some lessons. While I cannot go into the details, I can tell you that we will undertake re-deployment of our forces and will also enhance the quantity and quality of special counter-insurgency operations,” the DG said, a day after he visited the ambush site in Sukma.
The force will have to ensure that the enemy does not attempt any surprises on it. “We track and engage them well before,” he said. So, while half of the personnel will do road construction security and other similar tasks, the other half will do special counter-insurgency operations, the acting DG said.
The director general of the CRPF, which has deployed a total of 28 battalions in Chhattisgarh with 10 being only in the Bastar region, said the new action plan of the force will be to effectively dominate the area. Lakhtakia, however, said in such operations where the troops have to be out in open and the terrain is treacherous, the SOPs and strategies have to be “revised as and when required”.