Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh K Srivastava
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday warned that Centre will take the Naxals head on hours after the home-grown rebels carried out a major attack in Chhattisgarh`s Sukma district, killing at least 15 security personnel and one civilian.
Speaking to reporters, the Home Minister said, “I condemn this attack on the CRPF and the police of Chhattisgarh. We are taking it very seriously and we will fight against the Naxal movement.”
When asked whether it was the failure of the Centre or the state government to prevent the Naxal attack, Shinde said, “I can`t comment right now as to whose failure it is. I don`t know the details yet. I will comment only after I get all the details.”
The Home Minister assured the reporters that every possible steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future. “This is the second time such attack has happened in the same area, it is just 8 km from where the attack happened last time. We are still awaiting information on the tragedy. We will take all possible steps to prevent such incidents,” Shinde said while leaving his North Block office here.
The Home Ministry has also called for a high-level review meeting after Naxal attack and more forces are likely to be sent to Chhattisgarh soon, the Home Minister said.
Of the 15 jawans killed, 11 were from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and four from the state police. The toll was less than the 20 earlier reported.
"11 CRPF personnel and four state policemen were killed. Inspector Subhash of CRPF was leading the squad and he has also been killed," DIG (SIB) of Chhattisgarh police Dipanshu Kabra told reporters. A civilian was also killed in the attack, he said, adding three people have been injured.
An assistant commandant rank officer of CRPF is also believed to be among the victims, sources said.
The attack took place at 10:15 am in a dense forest at `Jeerum Nullah`, 400 km from here, when a team of 44 joint security forces personnel – 30 from CRPF and 14 from state police - was ambushed.
Naxals opened heavy fire and triggered landmine blasts while the team was out for an operational task in the jungles of Tongapal, close to the Dantewada and `Jeerum Ghati` axis, notorious for Naxal violence.
Kabra had said that “officials on the spot say some Naxals may also have been killed in firing”, but the same could not be confirmed.
A manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers who escaped in the thick jungles.
Chhattisgarh Police ADG (Intelligence) Mukesh Gupta informed that a joint team of CRPF and state police was attacked by a large group of Naxals numbering close to 100.
Following the attack, an encounter broke out between the security team and Maoists. Reinforcements were also sent to the spot, which was reported to be `heavily mined`.
State Chief Minister Raman Singh called an emergency meeting of the Chief Secretary, ACS Home, DGP and other high ranking officers to asses the situation.
The jawans of CRPF belong to its 80th battalion which is deployed for anti-Naxal operations in the state.
The state police is suspecting that a group of Naxals who may have crossed into Chhattisgarh from Odisha could be behind the deadly attack.
The incident took place in the same area where Naxalites had killed 76 police personnel in April 2010.
