14 naxals killed in encounter with police in Chhattisgarh

At least 14 naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district today, police said.

The gunbattle took place this morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.

So far, bodies of 14 naxals have been recovered from the encounter site, he said.

Several firearms were also seized from the spot, he added.

Further details were awaited as the search operation was still underway.

In March this year, nine CRPF men were killed in an ambush in Sukma.

Last year, 25 members of the force were killed. Shaken by the audacious Naxalite attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "The sacrifice of our brave jawans will not go in vain," he told a press conference. He said a meeting of all Naxal-hit states will be held on May 8 to look at ways of rooting out Left Wing extremism. "We will review the strategy (of dealing with Naxailtes) and if necessary we will revisit it," he said after paying homage to the CRPF personnel killed in the ambush.

The attack targeted a 100-strong CRPF patrol that was providing security for road construction work in the Kalapathar area of south Bastar, a region where Left-Wing extremism is rampant. The fierce gunfire from Maoist guerrillas occupying vantage positions - the deadliest attack on security forces in the state this year -- lasted about three hours and left at least 25 CRPF personnel dead and seven wounded.

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who also address the press conference along with the home minister, said anti-Naxal operations would be conducted with "more vigour" in the coming days. "An operation with more firmness will be conducted in the coming days," he said. "I believe that the fight against Naxals in Sukma is the biggest battle being fought against LWE in the country. We have decided to enhance our activities and construction work in the region," he said.

The home minister and the chief minister also visited hospitals where the injured CRPF personnel are being treated. Expressing condolence to the bereaved families, the home minister said, "the Naxals are frustrated with the development of roads in Bastar region. But they will not succeed in their evil designs."

With PTI Inputs

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