Eight personnel killed, 18 missing after encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh

While five security personnel were confirmed killed on Saturday, Director General (Naxal Operations) of Chhattisgarh Police Ashok Juneja today said the number of deaths has increased to eight.

On Saturday, separate joint teams of security forces, with over 2,000 personnel, launched a major operation from Bijapur and Sukma districts, which are considered a Maoist stronghold. 

At around 12 noon, the Maoists laid an ambush, leading to an encounter that lasted for three hours.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took stock of the situation.

He also directed Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Kuldiep Singh to visit Chhattisgarh to assess the situation.

"I bow to the sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress. May injured recover soon," Shah said in a tweet.

On Saturday, PM Modi also consoled the loss of the lives and said the "sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten".

"My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest," he wrote.

For the last 10 days, security forces in the state were getting tip-offs about the presence of Madvi Hidma, a top member of banned CPI (Maoist), who has been linked to major attacks including the 2013 Jhiram Ghati killings.

Over 30 people, including senior leaders of the Chhattisgarh Congress, were killed in the Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack in 2013.