New Delhi: CRPF Jawans were posted at Sukma to protect the construction work of the bridges which was half complete. They were ambushed by Maoists on Monday killing 25 CRPF jawans. This is the worst Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in past seven years.
The area is covered with thick forest. Even the Sunlight was not able to pass through. The area is around 200m from the road. The terrain is rocky and uneven.
The survivors gave the details of the attack. They told that it was a U-shaped ambush by at least 150 Maoists.
According to the news published in Indian Express, the weapons missing are: AK 47s, five UBGLs (Under-Barrel Grenade Launchers), two LMGs, two INSAS rifles, four AKM assault rifles, five wireless sets, two binoculars, 22 bullet-proof jackets, and 59 AK magazines and ammunition.
Officials reported that at 6 am on Monday, 76 CRF jawans left the Burkapal camp to secure the under construction work of the road and bridge which is the crucial link between Dornapal on NH 30 and Jagargunda which covers a distance of 56 km.
However, at 12.55 pm when they were returning, they came under the huge fire from Maoists.
The officials of the CRPF who are investigating the incident told that the security personnel were not able to defend the attack due to the rocky and undergrowth areas of the land.
CRPF DIG D. Upadhyaya said that the Maoists were large in number and had used human shields during the exchange of fire. He also said that armed Maoists were wearing civilian clothes and therefore they could not be identified.
The attacks were just a kilometer from CRPF camp. The IG of Police (Bastar), Mr. Vivekananda who inspected the spot told that the attack was disturbing.
It is to be established whether these attacks were due to the failure of our intelligence?