Dantewada Naxal Attack: CM Bhupesh Baghel Pays Homage To Martyred Soldiers

On Wednesday, the Maoists blew up a goods minivan, in which the security personnel were travelling by using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

In a tribute to the 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, who were martyred during a Maoist attack on Wednesday, a gun salute was given on Thursday in the presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel. The chief minister along with PCC Chief Mohan Markam, Bijapur MLA Vikram Mandavi, Dantewada MLA Devati Karma and several other administrative officials paid homage to the slain soldiers. CM Baghel said the team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a special branch of the Chhattisgarh police to combat Maoists, was on an anti-naxal operation in the area.

"The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRG jawans and a driver due to an IED blast on the DRG force which had arrived for an anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. The people of the state pay our respects to them. We all share in the grief of their families. May their souls rest in peace," he said.

Later in the day, CM is set to hold a high-level meeting with senior officials of Bastar police and security forces to review the case.

On Wednesday, the Maoists blew up a goods minivan, in which the security personnel were travelling by using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The area where the blast took place is around 450 km from the state capital Raipur.

After the attack on Wednesday, bodies were evacuated from the spot and a search for the Maoists was on. The deceased were identified as head constable Joga Sodhi, head constable Munna Ram Kadti, head constable Santosh Tamo, constable Dulgo Mandavi, constable Lakhmu Markam, constable Joga Kawasi, constable Hariram Mandavi, sainiks Raju Ram Kartan, Jairam Podiam, and Jagadish Kawasi.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also on Wednesday condemned the attack by Naxalites in Dantewada. The PM said that the sacrifice of the security personnel will be remembered.

"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 on Twitter.

Wednesday's attack was the second such incident this month in Chhattisgarh. A DRG jawan was injured in a similar attack in Bijapur on April 17.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to CM Baghel and took stock of the situation. In a telephonic conversation, the Home Minister also assured the Chhattisgarh CM that the Centre would give all possible help to the state government.