Sukma Naxal attack: CRPF arrests nine, apprehends 10 more suspects in Chhattisgarh

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Raipur: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers on Saturday arrested at least nine people from Chintalnar and Chintagufa areas of Chhattisgarh Sukma Naxal attack when 25 jawans were killed in an ambush.

In addition, the team also apprehended 10 more suspects in connection with the case. 

Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena confirmed the report and told ANI that the suspects were arrested from Kukanar village of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

As per the media report, the suspects were arrested after a joint operation with Chhattisgarh police and have been handed over to the state police.

"At least two of those arrested are believed to be hardcore PGLA members. Investigation is on to ascertain the role of the other two," an officer told CNN-News18.

PGLA or People's Guerrilla Liberation Army is the militia wing of CPI-Maoist and its Sukma wing is believed to be headed by one Hidma.

Twenty-five CRPF jawans were killed in the attack in Sukma on April 24 on a road-opening party moving towards Chintagufa area.

"We have lost twenty-five men in the encounter. As of now, we know that these men were out for a road opening task and they came under heavy fire from Naxalites...," CRPF Deputy Inspector General M. Dinakaran had said.

Eyewitness accounts had said 300 Naxals, mostly women had attacked the 74th battalion of CRPF. Interrogation of the arrested suspects will give police further leads into the conspiracy.