12 CRPF PERSONNEL KILLED IN NAXAL ATTACK 5

RAIPUR: Twelve CRPF personnel were on Saturday killed and their arms looted when Naxals ambushed their patrol party in the Maoist hotbed of Sukma in Chhattisgarh. Four personnel were also injured in the Naxal attack and two of them were stated to be critical.

The incident occurred in the dense forests near Kottacheru village under Bhejji police station, around 450 kms away from the state capital, at 9:15 AM when 112 personnel of CRPF'S 219th battalion were out for a road opening task.

The Bhejji area in south Bastar region of the state is notorious for Naxal attacks and many security personnel have been killed here in the past. The Naxals also looted ten weapons like INSAS and AK series assault rifles and two radio sets from the killed men, officials said.

"The troops were part of the road clearing party that has been securing an under-construction road between Bhejji and Kottacheru. They were ambushed by Naxals who set off multiple hidden IEDS on the ground and opened fire. The squad effectively retaliated before twelve made the supreme sacrifice," acting CRPF DG Sudeep Lakhtakia said.

He added that Maoists are trying to disrupt normal life and activities in this area as the Central Reserve Police Force has increased its presence here and got re-opened a local 'haat' (market) last year here after it was forcibly shut by the red ultras.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who will be travelling to Sukma.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has strongly condemned the Maoist attack and described it as a "cowardly act".

Security personnel have laid down their lives to free Bastar from violence and Maoist terror. Their sacrifice will not go in vain. "I salute their sacrifice," the CM said, adding ultras were frustrated with development of road network in the region. He also extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The CRPF chief and senior officials are also rushing to Raipur.

A senior Chhattisgarh official told PTI that the road opening party was passing through the forests between Bhejji and Kottacheru villages when Naxals opened indiscriminate fire on them.

According to a CRPF official, summer season is regarded as an offensive period by rebels as they observe annual 'tactical counter offensive campaign' (TCOC).