In the deadliest ambush by Naxalites of security forces this year, at least 25 CRPF personnel were killed and seven wounded in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday. The nearly 100-strong CRPF patrol which provides security for road construction work was attacked by Maoist guerrillas. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the personnel.
The area of the attack is close to the Chintagufa-Burkapal-Bheji axis, the hotbed of Naxal violence which has seen a number of such attacks in the past resulting in high casualties.
Condemning the attack, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation is being closely monitored. “Strongly condemn the attack on CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh; condolences to families of deceased and prayers for injured,” the President said in a tweet.
Strongly condemn attack on CRPF personnel in Chattisgarh; condolences to families of deceased & prayers for injured #PresidentMukherjee
— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) April 24, 2017
The Prime Minister also applauded the martyrs for their courage and tweeted: “We are proud of the valour of our @crpfindia personnel. The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain. Condolences to their families,” he added.
Twitter too is flooded with tributes for the martyrs. A strong action from the government against this attack also seems to be the common sentiment on Twitter.
#Sukma
Always Salute my INDIAN ARMY & CRPF
" THE SILENT PROTECTOR "JAWANs hai
Toh, INDIAN bhi
Safe haiLove ,Respect always
Jai hind pic.twitter.com/HgRHjzOub6— ZULFIQAR ALI KHAN (@zulfiqar_Akhan) April 24, 2017
Always salute my #indian army & #CRPF.. pic.twitter.com/NjuABDuMxb
— Nisha patil (@Nishapa98660382) April 25, 2017
Bowing our heads to salute the heros
I bow my head and salute the hero's – CRPF Jawans._ #Sukma #SukmaMartyrs https://t.co/d0AOD5vQcf
— Rajesh Sankunni (@Rajesh_cas) April 25, 2017
__ ____ __ ____ _____ ___,
__ ___ __ _____ ______ ___ !#Salute_CRPF pic.twitter.com/sjHfDeYIt2— Mahipal gurjar (@Mahipalgurjar12) April 25, 2017
24 CRPF Jawans died Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh
Salute Brave Son's of India pic.twitter.com/D3RMcMT3wJ— Kannan Ariyalli (@AriyalliKannan) April 24, 2017
I Salute to the Martyr's of #Sukma #CRPF who lost their lives serving the nation. @IPS_Association @HMOIndia Pls think abt their safety also pic.twitter.com/tLgk0bUNa6
— Prashant Pandey (@PrashantO7) April 24, 2017
#Sukma Salute to our martyred 26 #CRPF soldiers pic.twitter.com/wNkYcRpyTs
— Uttam (@uttamknights) April 24, 2017
Rest in peace brothers_
The soldiers in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India __#salute #Sukma #crpf #chhattisgarh— DAKSH (@daxpadia991) April 24, 2017
#CRPF died in #Sukma Bt civilians & government r just condemning.
Salute to dat bravo,who sacrificed his life upon jst a condemn. pic.twitter.com/gOdREfUcVt— Sharique Firdoushi (@srq_official) April 24, 2017
But Twitter also asks if condemnation from the PM, President and others is enough?
@narendramodi Sir now its time to take strict action. _____ _____ __ ___ ____ ______
Salute @crpfindia #CRPFMartyrs#Chhattisgarh#CRPF— Nishant Singhal (@nishusai) April 24, 2017
Should the forces plan a surgical strike against Naxals too?
Dear PM
Enough Is Enough. Time To Conduct Surgical Strikes Against Maoists.
Salute To CRPF Jawans._ #Sukma pic.twitter.com/X9PA15fLmm
— DharmeshWar (@Dharmesh_im) April 24, 2017
@crpfindia @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @BSF_India @CISFHQrs @ITBP_official @DGSSB really very upst fr act agnst humanity its so saddend @PMOIndia finish this terrorism for once & for all, how ppl #india safe #crpf salute
— @Ambiencerajat (@Ambiencerajat) April 24, 2017
The paramilitary force had in a statement on Monday said that “The CRPF troops replied in a befitting manner but taking geographical position in(sic) their advantage, Maoists succeeded in inflicting loss to CRPF. 24 brave soldiers were martyred at the battle ground and one succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated to hospital in Raipur.”
It also said that considerable number of Maoists are believed to have been eliminated as the tell-tale sign indicate from the ground. Reinforcements, including CoBRA commandos of the CRPF and its other units, have been sent to the scene from the nearest camp of the paramilitary force.
