Chhattisgarh: Bodies Of 14 More Security Personnel Found After Maoist Encounter; Death Toll Rises To 22

The security forces have found as many as 14 bodies of fellow security personnel on the site of the gory gunfight which broke between them and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region yesterday (3 April), reports Hindustan Times.

With five soldiers confirmed to be dead yesterday itself, 21 were said to be missing while another 30 were reported as injured in the massive attack. With the discovery of 14 more dead bodies, the toll has now surged to 19.

The gunfight between Naxals and the security forces broke out in Chhattisgarh's Terram jungles, along the border of Bijapur and Sukma districts. The fight is also said to have resulted in the death of a suspected Naxal.

Following the break of the news, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had yesterday taken to social media platform Twitter and said, "My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest."

At least two Maoists' bodies were also visible on the spot near the Tekulgudem village under Tarrem police station where the shootout began at noon on Saturday in a deeply forested interior area with a group of over 300 Maoists. There are reports of heavy damage to the Maoists.

It was a joint anti-Maoist operation conducted by the CRPF's CoBRA unit, the DRG and the STF of state police.

The operation continued for more than nine hours and additional security forces had to be pressed to the spot to support the personnel engaged in the exchange of fire.

Commenting on the incident, Chhattisgarh CM who is currently campaigning in Guwahati said, “7 injured security personnel who were shifted to Raipur are out of danger. 21 personnel are missing & the rescue team is searching for them. I received a call from HM Amit Shah. He has sent CRPF DG to the state. I'll return to Chhattisgarh in the evening.”

Several netizens were unhappy with the CM’s response and expressed dissatisfaction on Twitter.