The Naxalites are fighting the last battle of their existence, CM Bhupesh Baghel told News 18 after a gruesome Naxalite encounter that left 22 soldiers dead and 1 missing in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
Speaking to a News 18 reporter, the CM said that a group of Jawan Indians had gone out in search of said Maoists in the midst of which a Jawan camp was attacked causing casualties on both sides.
‘Both parties suffered casualties, this will boost our morale. The Naxalites are fighting the last battle of their existence. I also spoke with the Minister of the Interior. CRPF DG is going to Chhattisgarh today. I am also going to arrive in Chhattisgarh tonight to take stock of the situation, ”added Bhupesh Baghel.
On Saturday, a 400-strong team of security forces came under heavy attack by a platoon of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) in the Tarrem area, near the Sukma-Bijapur border.
Among the 5 martyrs, three belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) while two were from the District Reserve Guard (DRG). Two MI 17 helicopters and nine ambulances were flown to the scene for evacuation after an exchange of gunfire that lasted more than three hours.
According to PTI reports, over the past 10 days, security forces in Chhattisgarh obtained information on the whereabouts of Madvi Hidma, a high-ranking banned CPI (Maoist) naxal who has been linked to major attacks, including killings of Jhiram Ghati in 2013 that led to the deaths of nearly 30 people, including some eminent leaders of Congress.
Coincidentally, this attack comes almost a week after the Indo-Tibetan Border Police detained three naxals for planting explosives against security forces in Sukma.
After the Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh, the Union Minister of the Interior, Amit Shah, discussed the matter by calling the chief minister, Bhupesh Baghel. Over the phone, he assured CM Baghel to fight together against Naxal violence and win. Apart from this, Shah also instructed the Director General of CRPF to come to the site.
Earlier, Amit Shah said in a tweet that the courage of the security personnel who gave their lives fighting the extremists will never be forgotten. The interior minister also said that the government will continue its fight against such enemies of peace and progress.
.
