An old picture of Maoist leader Hidma
HIGHLIGHTS
A total of 31 soldiers were injured in the encounter
Security forces suspect Maoist leader Hidma was behind the attack
Twenty-two jawans were killed and 31 sustained injuries in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Security forces had launched an operation along the Sukma-Bijapur border, where an intense face-off resulted in the deaths of the jawans.
The intelligence report of wanted Maoist leader Hidma s presence now appears to have been a trap in the jungles of Chhattisgarh. A massive group of armed Maoists was waiting in the same area where anti-insurgency operations were launched on the basis of intelligence inputs. The Naxals took security forces by surprise resulting in a pitched gun battle that continued for over three hours.
Chhattisgarh encounter: Who is Maoist leader Hidma, man behind the ambush of 22 CRP indiatoday.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from indiatoday.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.