Chidambaram expresses shock over naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

DANTEWADA - Expressing deep shock over the attack in which at least 70 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans have been reportedly killed, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said something went drastically wrong.

“They seem to have walked into a camp or trap set by the Naxalites…casualties are very high and I’m deeply shocked,” said Chidambaram.

He further said more forces have been sent to the area to take on the Naxals.

“The state police and the CRPF have jointly mobilised forces in the area. I am sorry for the people who have lost their lives. We are monitoring the situation,” he added.

The attack took place when a CRPF patrol party was returning from duty in the naxalite-infested Mukrana Forest in Dantewada between 6 to 7 am.

Sources said the CRPF patrol party was taken by surprise by the naxals, who opened fire at them from a nearby hillock.

The intensity of the attack can be gauged from the fact that security personnel were unable to lift the body of their colleagues killed in the ambush as extremists continued relentless firing.

A chopper has been sent from Jagdalpur, headquarters of Bastar district, to move the injured troopers to hospital. A strong contingent of state police force has also been rushed to the attack site.

Meanwhile, emergency services at the Jagdalpur hospital has been pressed into service to receive dead bodies and provide immediate relief to the injured troopers. (ANI)