Naxal attack in Sukma, UP CM announces financial aid: Top 10 developments

Today's Sukma attack comes almost 11 days after security personnel killed 10 alleged Naxalites in the Chhattisgarh

At least nine CRPF personnel were killed and two injured in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Tuesday, in one of the deadliest attacks by the Maoist rebels on security forces this year.

The incident took place around 12.30 pm when the Maoists blew up an anti-landmine vehicle of Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) 212 Battalion along the 5-km under-construction Kistaram-Palodi road by using an over 50 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The blast was followed by a heavy exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoists in which the rebels also suffered a severe blow, said Inspector General of Police, Bastar, Vivekanand Sinha.
 

The CRPF personnel were on routine patrolling and going towards a newly-opened post in Palodi in Kishtaram when the Maoists set off the IED. The attack came about a year after dozens of CRPF personnel were killed in similar ambush in Sukma district.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the incident "deeply distressing" and asked the CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar to go to the site.
 

 "Today's IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh is deeply distressing. I bow to each and every security personnel who attained martyrdom while serving the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those personnel who lost their lives in Sukma blast.

The Home Minister spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who briefed him about the incident, and steps taken for the treatment of the injured CRPF personnel. Raman Singh also condemned the attack and sought a full report over the incident.
 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended his support and anbnounced assitance of Rs 2,500,00 each to the families CRPF troopers of the state.

Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the attack on CRPF troops reflected a deteriorating internal security situation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

"The Maoist attack in Sukma, Chhattisgarh in which 9 CRPF jawans lost their lives is tragic. It reflects a deteriorating internal security situation due to flawed policies," tweeted Gandhi.

"My condolences to the families of those killed. To those who have been injured, I wish a speedy recovery," he added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her deep sadness over the attack and extended her condolences to their families.

"Deeply saddened at the news coming from Sukma. Lives of at least nine CRPF jawans lost. My heartfelt homage to all the martyrs. Strength to their families. Jai Hind," she tweeted.

Those killed in the incident have been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramakrishna Singh Tomar, Head Constable Laxman and Constables Ajay Kumar Yadav, Manoranjan Lenka, Jitendra Singh, Sobit Kumar Sharma, Manoj Kumar Singh, Dharmendra Yadav and Chandra H S. The injured are Madan Kumar and Rajesh Kumar.

As many as forty CRPF jawans have been killed in two years at the hands of Maoists and Naxals in Chhattisgarh.

Top 10 developments

1. UP CM announces financial help for kin of soldiers killed

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced an assistance of Rs 2,500,000 each to the families of three CRPF troopers hailing from the state, who were killed in a Maoist attack in Sukma, Chattisgarh.

Of this, Rs 2,000,000 would be given to the widows of the deceased Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and Rs 5 lakh to their parents, an official said on Tuesday.

2. CRPF should learn from its mistakes: Former DG BSF

Hours after nine CRPF personnel were killed in a naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, Former Director General (DG) of Border Security Force (BSF), S K Sood on Tuesday said that the "CRPF authorities are not taking the needed remedial actions".

He further advised the CRPF to learn from its mistakes.

"CRPF has been repeatedly suffering big losses in this area, this means the CRPF authority is not taking remedial action, we should learn from mistakes," said Former DG, BSF, S K Sood.

3. Naxalites struck in a stunning fashion

The incident took place near Gollapalli on Kistaaram-Palodi road in Sukma district---about 500 km south of state capital. The incident took place today morning when CRPF jawans from the 212 battalion deployed in the area were returning to Palodi camp after an operation.

The blast injured six CRPF personnel, of which four are said to be critical. Injured personnel are being airlifted to Raipur. Soon after the incident, reinforcements were rushed to the spot, around 500 kms from state capital Raipur.

The CRPF personnel were carrying out an area-domination operation in the area, when their mine-protected vehicle (MPV) was reportedly blown up. The government had procured such vehicles from the Centre for anti-Naxal operations. 

The rebels taking cover in the area opened fire on the jawans.

 Police suspect about 150 Naxalites in the combat fatigue were present in the site. 

4. Raman Singh condemns 'cowardly' attack in Sukma

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) unit in Sukma district.

Describing the attack as "cowardly", the Chief Minister said naxals hit the CRPF vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) because their identity diminished due to development work in the state.

Singh expressed disappointment over the deaths and said the sacrifice made by the security personnel would always be remembered.

"This heinous attack indicates the identity of the Naxals is diminishing as the state government works towards the development of Sukma by providing facilities like roads, electricity, water supply, education, health, and hygiene etc.," the Chief Minister explained.

5. Explosives used

According to a state police official, the rebels used a lot of explosives to blow up the vehicle.

Officials added that the first encounter between the two sides took place at 8 am and later this contingent was targeted by the Maoists.

6. Rajnath Singh calls the blast 'distressing'

"Today’s IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh is deeply distressing. I bow to each and every security personnel who attained martyrdom while serving the nation," he tweeted.

My heartfelt condolences to the families of those personnel who lost their lives in Sukma blast. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans. I spoke to DG CRPF regarding the Sukma incident and asked him to leave for Chhattisgarh.

7. Politicians across India condemned the attack

Really sad news from Chhattisgarh. Eight CRPF personnel martyred in blast during search operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma.

8. Today's attack comes almost 11 days after security personnel killed 10 alleged Naxalites in the state

The alleged Naxalites were killed in a joint operation by Telangana Police and Chhattisgarh Police in Pujari Kanker in the state's Bijapur district. A policeman was injured in the operation. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the Special Task Force and the District Reserve Guard raided a Naxal hideout on the hillock, about 18km from Barsoor.

9. It also comes few months after 25 CRPF jawans were slaughtered in one of the deadliest attacks by Maoist rebels.

Around 300-400 Leftist insurgents ambushed and outgunned 99 troopers deployed to help with the construction of a road through the Maoist stronghold of Sukma in Chhattisgarh.

This was one of the three biggest attacks on security forces in seven years, and the second in the last one and a half months. In 2013, 27 people, including Congress functionaries V C Shukla, Mahendra Karma and Nand Kumar Patel, were killed in an ambush by Maoists in Darbha valley.

10. Last year in March, 12 CRPF personnel were ambushed in Sukma

Suspected Maoist rebels ambushed a road opening party of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in March and killed at least 12 troopers in insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists also looted 10 weapons from the dead personnel in the area around 450km away from the state capital. Five troopers were injured in the attack.