In a deadly attack by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men were martyred and six others were injured, triggering a fierce gunbattle that resulted into the deaths of many Naxals in the region.
In a statement issued here late last night, the paramilitary force said that considerable number of Maoists are believed to have been killed in retaliatory action by CRPF men.
It said that two companies of the 74th battalion were out on operation to provide security to people engaged in constructing a road to connect Burkapal to Chintagufa in the area. There were 99 personnel out on the operation. A CRPF company has a strength of about 100 personnel.
It said that the ensuing gun battle was ‘fierce’. The CRPF troops replied in a befitting manner but taking advantage of their geographical position, Maoists succeeded in inflicting loss on the force. However, nobody has been recovered yet.
"Twenty-four brave soldiers were martyred and one succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated to a hospital in Raipur," the statement read.
The party was ambushed by a group of about 300-400 Maoist cadres at 12.30pm at Kalapattar near Burkapal.
"A considerable number of Maoists are believed to have been eliminated (in retaliatory action by CRPF men) as the tell-tale sign indicate from the ground," it added.
The bodies of all jawans, it said, have been airlifted to Raipur, while the six injured have been admitted to a hospital in Raipur.
CRPF Director General (acting) Sudeep Lakhtakia and senior officials of the operations directorate of the force are expected to visit the site on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his junior colleague in the ministry Hansraj G Ahir are also expected to travel to Raipur today and pay tributes to the dead and hold a meeting with the top security brass of the state and paramilitary forces deployed there.
