Govt sees Sukma Naxal attack as challenge, no one will be spared: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: The government has taken as a 'challenge' the massacre of 26 CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday and vowed that "no one will be spared".

"It is a very sad and unfortunate incident. We have taken the attack as a challenge," Singh told reporters here.

Later, in Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, he said the incident was "very painful" and "No one will be spared," as per PTI.

Earlier, Singh had tweeted, "Extremely pained to know about the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. My tributes to the martyrs and condolences to their families."

Extremely pained to know about the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. My tributes to the martyrs and condolences to their families. 1/2

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 24, 2017

On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deadly ambush on the 74th Battalion in a forested area in Kala Pathar near Chintagufa as "cowardly and deplorable" and said the deaths of the troopers won't go in vain.

Attack on @crpfindia personnel in Chhattisgarh is cowardly & deplorable. We are monitoring the situation closely. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2017

We are proud of the valour of our @crpfindia personnel. The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain. Condolences to their families. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2017

May those injured in today's attack in Chhattisgarh recover at the earliest. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2017

The Central Reserve Police Force said the ambush began at 12.30 pm, leading to a gun battle between the troopers and the Maoists who, survivors said, used hand grenades, automatic rifles and rocket launchers.

Troopers who survived the horror said the Maoists, women included, emerged out of the blue before opening indiscriminate fire.

CRPF Deputy Inspector General M. Dinakaran said 11 bodies were first recovered and a 12th trooper succumbed to his injuries in a hospital here. A subsequent search of the area led to 12 more bodies, as per IANS.

Two more men died subsequently in hospital, taking the toll to 26.

The CRPF patrol assisting a Road Opening Party was reportedly readying for lunch when it came under attack, taking the victims by surprise. 

This was the worst attack by Maoists in Chhattisgarh since 2010 when 76 CRPF troopers were killed.

Twelve CRPF men were killed in a similar Maoist attack in Sukma early this year. 

(With Agency inputs)