17 Indian security personnel killed during encounter with naxals in Chhattisgarh

Published On: March 22, 2020 06:24 PM NPT By: Agencies

KATHMANDU, March 22: At least 17 Indian security personnel — 12 DRG and 5 STF men — have been killed by naxals after coming under heavy fire in Chintagufa in Sukma, Indian media reported on Sunday.

A party of around 550 men of DRG, STF and CoBRA were sent on Sunday morning to retrieve them, the Indian Express Online reported quoting Chhattisgarh police today.

On Saturday afternoon, a joint team of India's DRG, STF, and CoBRA from Chintagufa, Burkapal and Timelwada were sent on an operation to Elmagunda, where information of Naxal formations was received. The teams reached Elmagunda and were returning when they were ambushed near Korajguda hills at around 02:30 pm. Fifteen DRG jawans were injured in the firing, according to the report.

According to DGP Durgesh Awasthi of Chattisgarh, the security personnel had received information that PLGA 1 and Company 2 were gathering at Elmagunda.

“It was the biggest yet congregation of the Maoists in the area from Bijapur and Sukma. Following the information our men went to fight them and were ambushed," DGP Awasthi was quoted by Indian Express Online as saying.

More than 250 men from PLGA 1 controlled by the senior Maoist leader Hidma and Company 2 ambushed the men while they were returning at around 02.30 pm on Saturday, sources said.

“The exchange of fire went on for over five hours and our men fought valiantly. We have sent a new team of around 550 men from Burkapal and Chintagufa. They have been ordered to neutralize any naxal presence and retrieve our men as fast as possible. We hope that some of our men are safe,” Awasthi said.

15 injured DRG personnel were airlifted to Raipur late on Saturday night. Out of them, four are critical as they have suffered bullet injuries to chest and abdomen, hospital sources said. “One of the men has a bullet injury to his stomach and he will be operated upon on Sunday afternoon. Three have bullet injuries to their chest and are under observation,” a statement from the hospital in Raipur said.