Chhattisgarh Naxal Attack: Abducted jawan Rakeshwar Singh released

CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas who was abducted by Naxals has been released.

File Photo

New Delhi: CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas who was abducted by Naxals was released on Thursday (April 8).

He was captured by the Naxals during the Bijapur ambush last week.

“CoBRA jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas kidnapped by Naxals during Bijapur attack on April 3, has been released by them,” ANI said quoting police sources.

"Today is the happiest day of my life. I always remained hopeful of his return. I thank the government," Meenu, wife of the CRPF jawan said.

Manhas was brought to a CRPF camp in Bijapur after he was released.

Earlier, a photograph of Manhas sitting in a hut had surfaced.

On Tuesday, the outlawed CPI (Maoist) had issued a statement in Hindi saying its cadres had abducted the CoBRA commando from the site of the ambush and demanded that the Chhattisgarh government appoint interlocutors to ensure his safe release.

In a bid to obtain leads on the whereabouts of Manhas, police carried out searches and also contacted local villagers, social organisations, public representatives and journalists, an officer had said.

On Saturday, the gunfight broke out between security forces and ultras between Tekalguda and Jonaguda villages in which 22 troopers were killed and 31 others injured.

Out of the 22, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost eight personnel, including seven CoBRA commandos and one jawan of its 'Bastariya' battalion, eight from the DRG and six from the Special Task Force.