At least eight District Revenue Guard jawans and a driver are feared dead after Naxals blew up their vehicle in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur on Monday. As per reports, close to 20 personnel were present in the vehicle and they were returning after conducting a joint operation against Naxals in Bastar.
Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police – Bastar Range, said, “The incident took place near Ambeli village under Kutru police station when the security personnel were returning in their Scorpio vehicle after an anti-Naxalite operation.” According to police, the security personnel were returning after conducting an operation in Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur areas.
The blast reportedly took place on the Bedre-Kutru Road in Bijapur and the attack was reportedly in retaliation to a recent operation against Naxals in the area. At least five Naxals were killed in the recent joint operation by security forces.
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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the attack. "The news of the martyrdom of a driver along with 8 soldiers in an IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Kutru of Bijapur district is extremely sad. My condolences are with the families of the martyrs. I pray to God for peace to the souls of the martyred soldiers and to provide strength to the bereaved families," he tweeted.
The CM added, "The Naxalites are frustrated with the ongoing Naxal eradication campaign in Bastar and are perpetrating such cowardly acts out of frustration. The martyrdom of the soldiers will not go in vain, our fight to end Naxalism will continue strongly."
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao called the Naxal attacks cowardly and said forces would give a befitting reply. “This is a cowardly act by the Naxalites. The sacrifice of our soldiers won’t go to waste. Our government will fulfil its promise to make Bastar free from Naxalism by March 2026,” Sao told PTI.