Raipur: Bodies of 17 of the 18 security personnel lacking after an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh have been recovered from the positioning of the skirmish on Sunday, police stated.
With this, the quantity of security personnel killed within the encounter has gone up to 22, police stated.
Eighteen jawans have been lacking after 5 security personnel have been killed and 30 others injured on Saturday within the fierce gun-battle with Naxals in a forest alongside the border between Bijapur and Sukma districts in Chhattisgarh, police earlier stated.
“On Sunday, bodies of 17 missing personnel were recovered during a search operation. With this, a total of 22 personnel have been killed in the gunfight,” a senior police official stated.
The our bodies of three jawans who have been reported killed on Saturday have been additionally recovered, he stated, including that the search operation was nonetheless on within the forest.
Some weapons of the security forces have been additionally lacking, the official stated.
The deceased included personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), but it surely was not but confirmed what number of of them have been from which security drive, officers stated.
In a serious joint offensive, separate joint groups of security forces, comprising over 2,000 personnel, had launched an anti-Naxal operation from Bijapur and Sukma districts within the South Bastar forests, thought of because the Maoist stronghold, on Friday evening.
The personnel belonging to the CRPF, its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the DRG and the Special Task Force (STF) have been concerned within the operation launched from 5 locations – Tarrem, Usoor and Pamed (in Bijapur), and Minpa and Narsapuram (in Sukma).
When the patrolling workforce that was dispatched from Tarrem was advancing by the forest close to Jonaguda, positioned round 500 km away from the state capital Raipur, it was ambushed by cadres of PLGA (Peoples’ Liberation Guerilla Army) battalion of Maoists that led to gun-battle.
Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Inspector General (anti-Naxal operation) O P Pal on Saturday stated 5 security personnel have been killed and 30 others injured within the gunfight.
“Some jawans, both from the police and paramilitary, were reported to be missing following the encounter and efforts are on to trace them,” he had stated.
Out of the injured personnel, seven have been admitted to a hospital in Raipur, whereas 23 others have been present process remedy within the Bijapur district hospital.
Citing the “ground report”, Pal had claimed that Maoists suffered an enormous loss within the gunfight, however the physique of just one lady Naxal might be recovered from the spot amid the heavy alternate of hearth.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took inventory of the state of affairs following the incident, officers stated.
Shah additionally directed CRPF’s Director General Kuldiep Singh to go to Chhattisgarh to assess the state of affairs.
The Union Home Minister condoled the loss of life of the security personnel within the encounter and stated their valour won’t ever be forgotten.
He additionally stated the federal government will proceed its struggle in opposition to such enemies of peace and progress.
“I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon,” he stated in a tweet.
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