Sukma Bijapur Naxal Attack: 22 Jawans Martyred, 1 Missing In Ambush Against Maoists In Chhattisgarh

As per the latest reports, 22 Soldiers have lost their lives in an encounter with maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur Forests. 1 soldier is missing and the search operation underway. Security forces have killed 9 Maoists during the encounter.

22  security personnel have lost their lives following the encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Saturday. Security forces have launched an operation along the Sukma-Bijapur border, where an intense face-off led to the sacrifice of soldiers and left 32 others injured, with 1 jawan missing.

2 out of 5 security personnel who died in the attack are from CRPF. 16 out of total of 32 injured are CRPF personnel. Officials said a total of 24 injured jawans were brought to the Bijapur hospital. At least seven were referred to a hospital in Raipur for treatment. 7 officers who were admitted to the hospital are out of danger.

More than two dozen weapons have been looted by Naxals from security personnel after the encounter.

The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel said, "The firing between Naxals and security personnel went on for 4 hours. Naxals have suffered heavy losses. The martyrdom of our security personnel will not go in vain: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on Sukma Naxal attack."

Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted his condolences after the gunfight. “I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May the injured recover soon,” he said.

On Saturday, PM Narendra Modi had wished the injured jawans a speedy recovery. "My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh," the Prime Minister had said in a tweet.

Shah spoke to Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on the incident. Baghel tweeted that five personnel were killed in the incident near the Bijapur-Sukma border. “…My condolences are with the families of the martyrs. Their sacrifice will not go in vain.”

What happened in Chhattisgarh?

An encounter broke out between security forces and Naxals along the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh on Saturday after a party of jawans was ambushed by Maoists near Jonnaguda village around noon. The forces were scattered and trapped along a two-km long stretch of forest area.

This comes nearly a week after the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) took three Naxals into custody for planting explosives to target security forces in Sukma.

Nearly two weeks ago five personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed and several injured in an IED blast, the first major Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh this year in Narayanpur.