Anti-Naxal Operations in Sukma Leave 3 CRPF Men Dead, 13 Injured

Encounters between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh left three commandos dead and several others injured.

Injured men receiving treatment after multiple encounters between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s worst Maoist violence-affected Sukma district on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Three CRPF commandos have been killed and over a dozen injured after multiple encounters took place between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s worst Maoist violence-affected Sukma district.

Officials said while two commandos, identified as constables Linju N and Fateh Singh had succumbed to their bullet injuries yesterday, their colleague Lakshman Singh died on 4 March 2016.

At least 15 others, including CoBRA Comamnder PS Yadav and the chief of the state polices’ District Reserve Group (DRG), have been injured in the encounter which ended early Friday.

The patrol squad that came under fire Friday at noon in the jungles of the district, has been brought to the Kistaram police station from the encounter site of Dabbanarka in Sukma early today by multiple Mi-17 helicopter sorties, they said.

Inspector General (Bastar range) SRP Kalluri and Sukma Superintendent of Police D Shravan are camping at Kistaram, about 500 km from the state capital to monitor the operations.

The others who sustained bullet and splinter injuries include Assistant Commandant Yogendra, Sub-Inspector Rajveer Singh, Head constable Santosh, Constable Sona Ram and some men of the DRG.

Officials claimed that several Naxals were killed in the encounters, but other rebels took away the bodies.