Chhattisgarh: 10 policemen, driver killed in IED blast by Naxals in Dantewada

Ten police personnel and their driver were killed on Wednesday in an IED blast by Naxals near Aranpur in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada.

The attack targeted a vehicle carrying District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel. They were reportedly returning after an anti-Maoist operation undertaken in response to intelligence inputs.

Major security lapses

Sources told News18 that there were major security lapses ahead of the attack.

According to News18 sources, no intelligence was gathered to sanitise the route when the DRG team was leaving for the headquarters.

The DRG vehicle was already on the radar of the Naxals, who were tracking the route and movement of the convoy. The convoy also didn’t change the route and used the same way which is another lapse at the level of planning, sources told News18.

Video from the Maoist attack site in Dantewada shows the targeted vehicle turned into a mangled heap of metal under the impact of the IED blast. pic.twitter.com/Q2BKDHlgWF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 26, 2023

PM Modi, Amit Shah condemn attack

Meanwhile, leaders across party lines have condemned the attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the personnel’s sacrifice will always be remembered.

Strongly condemn the attack on the Chhattisgarh police in Dantewada. I pay my tributes to the brave personnel we lost in the attack. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. My condolences to the bereaved families.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he has spoken to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and has assured all help to the state government.

Anguished by the cowardly attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada. Have spoken to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance to the state government. My condolences to the bereaved family members of the martyred Jawans.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 26, 2023

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said that “Naxalism will be uprooted.”

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh CM says, “Dantewada incident is heart-rending. My condolences to their families. Their sacrifice won’t go to waste. Pressure is being created on naxals, so they did this cowardice. Naxalism will be uprooted. I spoke with HM Amit Shah & Mallikarjun Kharge” pic.twitter.com/EHdk0KSY8Z

— ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2023

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik saluted the “bravehearts who sacrificed their lives.”

Strongly condemn the cowardly IED blast carried out by Naxals killing so many policemen in #Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. Salute to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives. Condolences to the bereaved families of the bravehearts & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 26, 2023

With inputs from agencies

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.