11 police personnel killed in Naxal attack in Dantewada; Amit Shah takes stock

DANTEWADA: (Chhattisgarh): Eleven police personnel were killed in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada after an IED attack was carried out by Naxals on a vehicle carrying District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel near Aranpur.

Confirming the incident, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “There is such information with us. It is very saddening. My condolences to the bereaved families. This fight is in its last stage. Naxals won’t be spared.”

“The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRG jawans and a driver due to IED blast on the DRG force which had arrived for anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. All the people of the state pay our respects to him. We all share in the grief of their families. May their souls rest in peace”, the Chhattisgarh CM tweeted.

The bodies of 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and one driver, who were killed in an IED attack in Dantewada are being evacuated, the Inspector General of Bastar said on Wednesday.

P Sundarraj, IG, Bastar, said, “10 DRG jawans and one civilian driver lost their lives in the attack…Bodies of all of them are being evacuated from the spot. Senior officers are present there. Search operation is under way”.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chhattisgarh CM and took stock of the Dantewada incident that claimed the lives of 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and one driver. In the telephonic conversation, the Home Minister also assured the Chhattisgarh CM that the Centre will extend all possible help to the state government.

Anguished by the cowardly attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada. Have spoken to Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance to the state government. My condolences to the bereaved family members of the martyred Jawans.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 26, 2023

Taking to Twitter, Amit Shah stated, “Anguished by the cowardly attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada. Have spoken to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance to the state government. My condolences to the bereaved family members of the martyred jawans”.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal also expressed tribute to the slain officers and urged the government to take strict steps.

“Our jawans were killed in the Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh. This cowardly act of Naxalites is very disturbing information. All the governments need to take immediate strict steps to crush Naxalism. A humble tribute to the martyred soldiers! May their souls rest in peace!” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

Chhattisgarh Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said that the DRG jawans were sent on the spot based on secret information about Naxals’ presence in the area.

“Secret Information was received about the presence of Naxals and the DRG jawans were sent to the spot. When they were returning after the search, an IED attack took place in which 10 DRG jawans and one driver lost their lives. Extra forces have been sent to the spot”, he said.