Seven Maoists were arrested in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Sunday, in connection with the blast targeting an anti-landmine vehicle of the CRPF, that left nine troopers dead earlier this month, a senior police official said.
The accused were identified as Komram Sade, Madkam Joga, Madkam Hindwa, Mandvi Sukka, Madkam Ganga, Vanjam Aayta and Vanjam Singha, all members of the 'Jan Militia' and residents of Kistram in Sukma, officials said, adding that security personnel were convinced they were responsible for the 13 March blast in Pallodi area of Kistram.
The accused involved in the blasts were arrested during a search operation in the forests of Kistaram, which is about 500 km from Chhattisgarh state capital Raipur, Superintendent of Police (SP), Sukma, Abhishek Meena told PTI.
The report adds that the search operation contained personnel from the district police, District Reserve Group, Special Task Force, CRPF and the paramilitary force's elite CoBRA unit.
The cadres were rounded up on Saturday from an area under the Kistaram police station by a joint team of the security forces.Abhishek Meena, SP, Sukma told PTI
As reported by Times of India, the blast triggered by the IED was so powerful that it tore through the heavily armoured vehicle containing the troopers, leading to some of the bodies being hurled some 20 to 30 feet away.
The report mentions that on Tuesday, 13 March, the troopers were rushing to reinforce a CoBRA unit which was pursuing the Maoists post an early-morning encounter near Kistaram camp.
Upon their arrival, the Maoist forces reportedly retreated, then turned around and attacked the patrol party.
The tragic encounter, that led to the loss of nine lives, was severely condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who also sent their condolences to the families of the deceased troopers.
(With additional inputs from IANS, PTI )
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)