1055 A security personnel is shifted for treatment after he was injured in an encounter with Naxals in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. PTI
New Delhi, April 6
A purported statement by Maoists on Tuesday claimed that they abducted a jawan during a recent gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district and sought nomination of some mediators for his release.
A two-page statement reportedly issued by Dandakarnya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) of the CPI (Maoists) said the abducted jawan “will be safe in their custody” and would be handed over to the police after mediation.
The statement is being looked into, a senior security officer and a CRPF commander said.
Terrorists attack CRPF party in Handwara of North Kashmir
In a major Maoist attack last week, a total of 22 security personnel were killed and 31 injured in a fierce gun battle with a platoon of over 300 People s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in Chhattisgarh s Bijapur district, officials said. Central Reserve Police Force s (CRPFs) Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from the 3.25 lakh strong paramilitary force s elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit went missing, and per latest reports, he is in the captivity of Maoists.
Bijapur Superintendent of police Kamlochan Kashyap said the search efforts to trace the commando are underway. But the wife of the missing jawan broke down while sharing her grievance and appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back her husband. Meenu Manhas, while speaking to media, urged PM Modi to bring back her husband like how Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was brought back from Pakistan in February 2019.
UPDATED: April 5, 2021 10:05 IST
CRPF personnel carry the coffin of a jawan who was killed in the encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh (Dharmendar Sharma/India Today)
At least 22 security personnel were killed and 31 suffered serious injuries following an exchange of fire between forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh s Bijapur. One soldier is still believed to be missing in the worst Naxal attack in four years.
Chhattisgarh Police said in a statement that at least 12 Maoists were killed and 16 injured in the gun battle following the ambush. The security forces were ambushed by around 400 Naxals, who surrounded the jawans from three sides and opened fire.
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What went wrong with Operation Prahar? Inside story of Bijapur ambush
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level review meeting over Naxal ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur. Amit Shah directed the security agencies to intensify Operation Prahar and give a befitting reply to the Naxals.
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UPDATED: April 5, 2021 15:19 IST
22 jawans were killed in an ambush by Naxals in Chhattisgarh s Bijapur on Saturday | PTI image
Twenty-two jawans lost their lives after they were ambushed by the Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur on Saturday during a combing operation. Following the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday called a high-level meeting in which a roadmap was prepared for a major action against the Naxals.