Expressing condolences over the death of the 10 DRG personnel in a Maoist attack in Dantewada on Wednesday, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the war on naxals was in its final stage. He said that no naxal will be spared and the sacrifice of the jawans will not go in vain. "The problem will be weeded out from the root," he said.
Ten District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and a goods van driver were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast orchestrated by maoist. "This is very saddening. I express my condolences to the families of jawans who have been martyred. This war is in its last phase and the Naxalites will not be spared," CM Baghel said.
The Chhattisgarh unit of the BJP slammed the Congress government over the attack. "We should make a resolution that their sacrifice should not go in vain. The government is not working seriously against the Naxalites. They are only saying in newspapers that naxals have been wiped out," Chhattisgarh BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal said.
Soon after the attack, CM Baghel apprised Union Home Minister Amit Shah of the situation. Shah assured him of all help from the Centre. "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," he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, expressed his sorrow at the incident. "Strongly condemn the attack on the Chhattisgarh police in Dantewada. I pay my tributes to the brave personnel we lost in the attack. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. My condolences to the bereaved families," he said.
Visuals of the spot of the incident showed a large crater on the road where the explosion took place and the chassis of the van blown several metres away.