Chhattisgarh: Maoist Attack In Bijapur Leaves 22 CRPF Soldiers Dead

At least 22 security personnel have been killed in the line of duty after an encounter on April 3 with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, about 400 km from state capital Raipur. A member of the security group is still missing. On April 4 morning, Director General (Naxal Operations) of Chhattisgarh Police Ashok Juneja said the number of deaths have increased to eight; on April 3 five security personnel had died in action. On April 3, separate joint teams of security forces, with over 2,000 personnel, launched a major operation from Bijapur & Sukma districts in the South Bastar forests, considered a Maoist stronghold. At around 12 noon, the Maoists laid an ambush, leading to an encounter that lasted for three hours. On April 4, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel & took stock of the situation. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief.