At least 24 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and a few others wounded in an ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district today.
The deadly assault occurred around 12:25 PM in Kalapathar area of south Bastar region, one of the worst-hit by naxalite violence.
The CRPF jawans belonged to the 74th battalion of the force and were part of a road-opening party moving towards Chintagufa area.
An injured jawan, who has admitted to the hospital, said the CRPF team was attacked by nearly 300 Maoists.
"They were around 300 and we were around 150, we kept firing. I shot 3-4 Naxals in the chest," CRPF constable Sher Mohammed said.
"First Naxals sent villagers to trace our location, then almost 300 Naxals attacked us. We also fired and killed many,"
He added.
They were sanitising a road which is being built in the area, a senior CRPF officer said.
All the troops belonged to the 74th battalion of the force deployed in the area for anti-Maoist operations.
Reinforcements have been rushed from the nearest CRPF camp, the officer added.
Twelve personnel of the CRPF were killed on March 12 in the same district in an ambush by naxalites.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has called for an emergency meeting later today after the encounter.
PM Modi terms attack as 'cowardly and deplorable'
Terming the attack as "cowardly and deplorable," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain
"Attack on CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh is cowardly and deplorable. We are monitoring the situation closely. We are proud of the valour of our CRPF personnel. The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain. Condolences to their families. May those injured in today's attack in Chhattisgarh recover at the earliest," Modi said in a series of tweets.
