Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India]: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao has strongly condemned the Naxal attack in Bijapur district that claimed the lives of nine people, including eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and one driver. The attack, executed using an improvised explosive device (IED), has been described as a “cowardly action” by the Deputy CM, who assured that the sacrifices of the jawans would not be in vain.
“Information about a cowardly attack by Naxalites has come from Bijapur. I express my condolences to the jawans’ families. This is a desperate and disappointing act by Naxals. As our jawans continue to work towards eliminating them, they have resorted to such actions out of frustration. The sacrifice of the jawans won’t go in vain,” said Sao while speaking to reporters.
The incident occurred when the jawans, who were returning from a joint anti-Naxalite operation conducted by the police forces of Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Bijapur, were targeted by an IED planted by Naxals in Bijapur’s Ambeli area.
Bastar Inspector General (IG) Sundarraj P provided further details on the operation and the tragic event. “For the past three days, anti-Naxalite operations have been ongoing in the Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur regions. During the operation, the bodies of five Naxals were recovered, and one jawan had lost his life. When the team was returning, an IED blast was carried out by Naxals, killing eight Dantewada DRG jawans and one driver,” IG Sundarraj said.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation. Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker and former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat Naxal activities. “Whenever significant operations are conducted against them, these Naxalites resort to cowardly attacks. I express my condolences to the families of the jawans who lost their lives. The steps being taken by the Chhattisgarh and central governments will intensify efforts to counter Naxal activities,” Singh said.
The tragic incident underscores the continued challenge posed by Naxalite groups in the region, even as joint operations by state and central forces strive to dismantle their networks.