Raipur, Dec. 1: Maoists ambushed and killed 13 CRPF personnel, including two officers, in dense forests of Sukma district today, using villagers as human shields to prevent the forces from retaliating in full measure immediately in an encounter that lasted from 10am to 2pm.
Around 120 security personnel had been carrying out an operation deep inside forests, when Maoist gunmen attacked them, additional director-general (anti-Naxalite operation) R.K. Vij said. Among the 13 dead included a CRPF assistant commandant and a deputy commandant. Some 15 jawans are injured and the toll is likely to rise.
The 120 personnel drawn from 223 battalion and 206V of the elite CoBRA had just left Chintagufa, a place where the rebels had attacked an Indian Air Force Chopper some 10 days ago, and advanced some 10km towards their next stop, Elmagunda, when they were ambushed. A senior police officer said that the 13 casualties occurred in the initial rounds of firing. Of the 15 injured, five jawans are critical.
The forces rallied well and by 2pm, rebels had retreated deeper in the nearby forests fearing more reinforcements.
Vij said two dead CRPF officers have been identified as deputy commandant Rajesh Kapuria and assistant commandant D.S. Verma.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh confirmed in New Delhi that Maoists had used villagers as shields to attack the CRPF team. Singh is reaching Bastar tomorrow.
Chief minister Raman Singh, who is on a New Delhi visit, is also rushing to Raipur tomorrow morning.
Chhattisgarh home minister Ramsevak Paikra said Maoists acted in frustration as security personnel were on an offensive against them. Asked, Paikra denied intelligence failure as reasons behind the surprise ambush.
The attack took place on a day National Security Advisory Board members headed by former ambassador Shyam Saran were “exploring” how to tackle insurgency in Bastar.
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