"Search operation for Naxalites is going on": IG Bastar Sundarraj P on IED blast in Bastar

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 18 (ANI): Regarding the recent Naxalite attack, which led to the death of two security personnel, IG Bastar Sundarraj P said it occurred in the tri-junction area of Bastar-Bijapur-Sukma.
Two STF jawans lost their lives after being seriously injured after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on Thursday. Four other jawans who were injured were given primary treatment in Bijapur after which they were sent to Raipur for treatment.
He added that they were out of danger now and a search operation for Naxalites was going on in the area.
Earlier on Thursday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed condolences, saying that the fight will continue till Maoism is eliminated.
"The Naxalites are perturbed by the campaign being run by our government to eliminate Maoism and are carrying out cowardly acts. The martyrdom of the soldiers will not go in vain. Our fight will continue till Maoism is eliminated," says Sai on X.
He also wished for peace for the souls of the soldiers killed in action and the speedy recovery of the four soldiers who were injured in the attack. "Sad news has been received about the martyrdom of 2 STF jawans and injury of 4 jawans in an IED blast carried out by Maoists in the Tarrem area of Bijapur district. I pray to God for the peace of the souls of the martyred soldiers and the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers," he added.
The killed jawans have been identified as Constable Bharat Sahu, a resident of Raipur, and Constable Satyer Singh Kange, a resident of Narayanpur. The security personnel who were part of an anti-naxal operation in the district were returning from the search operation when the incident happened.
According to the police, additional security forces have been sent to the said area and necessary arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured STF jawans.
During the area search, security forces recovered 12 bodies of Naxals, including DVCM Laxman Atram, also known as Vishal Atram, the in-charge of the Tipagad Dalam. The operation also yielded a significant haul of weapons, including seven automatic firearms: three AK-47 rifles, two INSAS rifles, one carbine, and one self-loading rifle (SLR). One police sub-inspector (PSI) of the C60 unit and one jawan sustained bullet injuries during the encounter. Both have been evacuated and shifted to Nagpur, where they are reported to be out of danger. (ANI)