At least 10 security personnel and their driver were killed in a suspected Maoist attack that occurred in the Dantewada district of India's Chhattisgarh state on Wednesday.
According to media reports, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated when the security personnel were travelling in a minivan.
The deceased security personnel belonged to the state police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG). Officials told the media that the team was returning from an anti-Naxalite operation.
The District Reserve Guard a Chhattisgarh police unit formed to counter the left-wing extremism in the region.
Chhattisgarh state chief Bhupesh Baghel, meanwhile, condoled the deaths of the security personnel.
In a message posted on Twitter, he said: “The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRG jawans and a driver due to IED blast targeting the DRG force which had arrived for anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. We share the grief of their families. May their soul rest in peace."
Talking to the media, Baghel stated: “The fight against Naxals is in last stage, they won’t be spared.”
Meanwhile, as per media reports, federal Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Baghel and assured all possible support to the state.
Chhattisgarh is one of the most affected states from Maoist attacks.