In yet another grim reminder of the growing Naxal menace in the northern part of the country, Naxals killed 9 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in a landmine attack in Sukma in Chhattisgarh.  6 personnel were seriously injured in the attack out of which 4 are said to be battling for their lives.

The CRPF personnel were on a routine sortie at Kistaran in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. They were travelling in two jeeps when the vehicles came into contact with the landmines which had been set for the attack; 9 personnel died on the spot and six were grievously injured.  They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors said that four among the six were not yet out of danger.

Security has been beefed up in and around Sukma District following the attack and in an effort to trace the Maoists who indulged in the attack. Unconfirmed reports said that exchange of fire between security forces and the Naxals commenced soon after the attack.

It may be recalled that Naxals launched a dastardly attack on security forces in April last year in the same District, killing 25 CRPF personnel. Yesterday’s attack is believed to be a ‘tit-for-tat’ revenge attack by the Naxals after 10 of their comrades were killed a few days back by the Greyhounds personnel on Chhattisgarh’s border with neighbouring Telengana.