Chhattisgarh Naxal Group Claims To Have Missing CRPF Jawan In Captivity; Shares Letter With Demands

The declaration comes days after 22 security personnel were killed and 31 injured in a fierce gun battle with a platoon of over 300 People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

(Image: PTI)

Raipur: In a major development, Maoists group responsible for killing of as many as 22 security personnel on Saturday have claimed to have held captive the missing Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPFs) jawan. The news was announced by the Maoists group in a official released, where they have put forth their demands to release the Army jawan.

The declaration comes days after 22 security personnel were killed and 31 injured in a fierce gun battle with a platoon of over 300 People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

CRPF's Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, from the 3.25 lakh strong paramilitary force's elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), went still missing and search operation is still on to trace him.

Here's the letter issued by Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA):

In the letter, the naxal group have also admitted to have looted 14 weapons and over 2000 ammunition and have also confirmed killing of four Maoist in the encounter. The letter was released by a spokesperson of Dandkaranay Special Zone Committee. 

The gun battle took place on Saturday noon near Tekulgudem village under Tarrem police station in which eight personnel of Chhattisgarh's District Reserve Guard (DRG) and six of Special Task Force (STF), seven from CRPF's CoBRA and one from its Bastaria Battalion lost their lives.

The enounter between forces and naxals broke out after a joint team of CRPF and Chhattisgarh police's DRG and STF men reached the spot following the tip off regarding presence of wanted Maoist Hidma - who is said to be the mastermind behind the attack. 

The PLGA's Battalion No. 1 is one of the guerrilla forces that are very rampant in Chhattisgarh.

As per reports, Of the 31 injured jawans, 13 suffered critical injuries and are being treated at a hospital in Raipur while 18 faced minor injuries and getting treatment in Bijapur.

Meanwhile, kin of a martyred CRPF jawan Raj Kumar Yadav demanded an airstrike on Naxal strongholds to rid the country of the malady.