10 Policemen Killed In Maoist Attack In Chhattisgarh's Dantewada; PM Modi, Amit Shah Condole Deaths

New Delhi: Ten policemen and a civilian were killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, officials said on Wednesday. Naxalites blew up the mini-goods van in which a team of the Chhattisgarh police's District Reserve Guard (DRG) was travelling by using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) containing an estimated 40 kg of explosive material.

The blast took place under Aranpur police station limits when the security personnel were returning after an anti-Naxalite operation. It was reportedly the biggest strike by the Maoists on the security forces in the state in the last two years. 

#WATCH | Visuals from the spot in Dantewada where 10 DRG jawans and one civilian driver lost their lives in an IED attack by naxals. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/GD8JJIbEt2 — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023

Reacting to the Dantewada attack, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that it is 'very saddening' and that the Naxals won't be 'spared'.

"It is very saddening. My condolences to the bereaved families. This fight is in its last stage. Naxals won't be spared," Bhupesh Baghel told reporters. 

#WATCH | On reports of an IED attack by naxals on security personnel in Dantewada, claiming the lives of 11 personnel, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel says, "There is such information with us. It is very saddening. My condolences to the bereaved families. This fight is in its last… https://t.co/n1YV67sIoi pic.twitter.com/CC8Dj0uAca — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023

PM Modi 'strongly condemns' naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'strongly condemned' the naxal attack on Chhattisgarh police personnel and paid tributes to those killed in 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 tweeted.

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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2023

Amit Shah 'Anguished' by 'cowardly' Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he is 'anguished' by the 'cowardly' Naxal attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada. He said that spoke to Bhupesh Baghel and assured all possible assistance.

"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," Amit Shah said in a tweet.

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. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 26, 2023

Meanwhile, Bhupesh Baghel held a high-level meeting to review the situation after the Naxal attack in Dantewada district.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the state Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, the Chhattisgarh CM reviewed various aspects linked to the latest attack, the public relations department official said.

Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Ashok Juneja, Secretary to CM Ankit Anand and Inspector General (Intelligence) Ajay Yadav, among others, were present.

Baghel and Home Minister Sahu will pay homage to the slain personnel in Dantewada on Thursday.

Baghel, who was scheduled to leave for poll-bound Karnataka on Wednesday evening to campaign for Congress, cancelled his visit.