Four CRPF commandos killed, others injured during clash with Naxals in Chhattisgarh

Four jawans were killed and 15 others sustained injuries amid an exchange of fire with Naxals in Chhattisgarh. Officials said the incident took place near Tekalgudem village along the Sukma-Bijapur border while a joint team of security personnel was out on a search operation. 

Three of the personnel killed in the line of action have been identified as constables Devan C (201 CoBRA), Pawan Kumar (201 CoBRA) and Lambadhar Singha from the 150 CRPF battalion. Two CoBRA officers deputy commandant Lakhveer and assistant commandant Rajesh Panchal were among the injured.

A team from the 201 battalion of the CoBRA and 150 battalion of the CRPF was working in the area to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) when the exchange of fire began around 1 pm. Maoists reportedly fired dozens of crudely-made rocket-shaped barrels called BGL and unleashed heavy gunfire during the attack.

The area is dominated by the 1st battalion of the Maoists' People's Liberation Guerrilla Army — known for executing several audacious attacks against security forces. The Bastar Range Inspector General of Police said the clash took place in the same place where 23 jawans had lost their lives in 2021.

ALSO READ: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma takes ‘soft naxalite’ jibe at Rahul Gandhi: ‘I too was in Congress for 22 years, but…’

Earlier in the day, security forces had averted a major tragedy after recovering two improvised explosive devices while acting on a tip-off. The police said the bombs —  one weighing 5 kg and another 3 kg — had been planted on dirt tracks in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. 

“The explosives were planted on dirt tracks to target security personnel who pass through the area during patrolling. The bombs were later defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS). A major tragedy has been averted,” a police officer told PTI.

(With inputs from agencies)