As per the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s primary counter-Maoist force, an encounter between its 74 Battalion and Maoists started at about 12.30 pm at Kala Pathar near Chintagufa, Sukma district.
Initial inputs came that 11 CRPF personnel were killed and seven personnel were injured. The CRPF later said more than 24 personnel were killed, including one personnel who succumbed to his injuries in Raipur. Sources said a CRPF company commander, an Inspector, who was at the spot has also been killed. Earlier 11 bodies were recovered and on further search 12 more bodies recovered by the CRPF.
We are proud of the valour of our @crpfindia personnel. The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain. Condolences to their families.
“Injured personnel have been evacuated by helicopter to Jagdalpur/Raipur. Our party was deployed for Road Opening to provide security to road construction activities,” said a senior CRPF officer.
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The Road Opening Party were sanitising a road which is being built in the area, the officer added.
Spoke to MoS Home Shri Hansraj Ahir about the attack in Sukma. Shri Ahir is going to Chhattisgarh to take stock of the situation.
Seven injured personnel have been evacuated by helicopter and have reached Raipur and taken to Ram Krishna hospital. They have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector, R P Hembram, Head Constable Ram Mehar, Constable Swaroop Kumar, Constable Mohinder Singh, Constable Jitendra Kumar, Constable Sher Mohammad and Constable Latoo Oraon.
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Constable Sher Mohammad told reporters that we were on road construction duties. “There were about 300 Maoists and they attacked us. Women Maoists cadres were also there. We gave them a befitting reply. I believe we killed 10-12 of them,” said Sher Mohammad.
Another CRPF jawan said-
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They were around 300 & we were around 150, we kept firing. I shot 3-4 Naxals in the chest: CRPF constable Sher Mohammed injured in #Sukmapic.twitter.com/9LUK7ENRMX
All the troops belonged to the 74th battalion of the force deployed in the area for anti-Maoist operations. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the media that "it is a big tragedy. It is a setback to the forces. But let the detailed report on the incident come."
Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter were sent to the encounter site to evacuate the injured. More helicopters have been launched from Raipur and Jagdalpur.
Reinforcements have been rushed from the nearest CRPF camp, said another officer. CRPF”s CoBRA teams have reached the site and conducting search operations.
Some more pictures from the spot:
On March 12, 12 CRPF personnel were killed on March 12 in the same district in an ambush by Maoists.
Chhattisgarh: 22 Naxalites surrender in Sukma district
