Chhattisgarh: Bodies of 17 jawans recovered from encounter website; toll mounts to 22

Bodies of 17 jawans had been recovered on Sunday from the positioning of an encounter between safety forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, taking the dying toll in Saturday’s conflict to 22, Bijapur Superintendent of Police confirmed. Five safety personnel had been killed in motion.
On April 2, greater than 2000 personnel from at the very least 5 camps in Sukma and Bijapur had gone into the forest round Tarrem in Bijapur district, 60 km from the district headquarters.
Personnel belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Special Task Force (STF) had been concerned within the operation launched from 5 locations – Tarrem, Usoor and Pamed (in Bijapur), and Minpa and Narsapuram (in Sukma).
An injured safety particular person in Bijapur on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)
The operation was mounted towards Battalion No. 1 Area Commander Hidma, one of the dreaded and wished Maoists. He has been accountable, police mentioned, for a number of assaults towards safety forces. Sources imagine Hidma was “actively present” within the space and his group was liable for the assault Saturday.
Officials mentioned safety personnel had been trapped in an ambush whereas coming back from the operation. Saturday’s encounter comes 10 days after 5 DRG personnel had been killed when Naxals blew up their bus with an IED in Narayanpur district.

Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took inventory of the state of affairs. Shah additionally directed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Kuldeep Singh to go to Chhattisgarh to evaluate the state of affairs.
Earlier, Shah mentioned in a tweet that the valour of the safety personnel who laid down their lives combating the extremists won’t ever be forgotten.

Shah additionally mentioned the federal government will proceed its struggle towards such enemies of peace and progress.
“I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon,” he mentioned in a tweet.
“The killing of the security personnel while battling Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh is a matter of deep anguish. My condolences to the bereaved families. The nation shares their pain and will never forget this sacrifice,” President Kovind tweeted. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi demanded “decisive action to locate & rescue the missing Jawans.”