Govt. assures to redress deficiencies to prevent Sukma-like attacks

Chandrapur (Maharashtra) [India], April 24 (ANI): Strongly condemning the gruesome Sukma Naxal attack that killed as many as 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Hansraj Ahir on Monday said the Centre would take measures to ensure that such incidents do not get repeated. "The incident is unfortunate. Many of our soldiers were killed. We will make sure that such incidence do not repeat and will try to redress deficiencies on our part," Ahir told ANI. Ahir will be going to Chhattisgarh tomorrow to take stock of the situation. He was asked by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to visit the spot. Meanwhile, former home minister R. K Singh said the CRPF must rethink their strategies and redress deficiencies on their part. "I think two aspects need to be looked at one is the intelligence gathering and other is operational philosophy and tactics I think both need to be looked. We need to look at their modus operandi and modify our tactics and strategies accordingly," Singh told ANI. As many as 26 CRPF personnel were killed and eight others injured in an encounter with Naxals. A message was received by the Indian Air Force's Anti Naxal Task Force Commander about the ambush. Immediately, two IAF Mi-17 V5s of Jagdalpur detachment took off for Burkapal. One of the MI-17 was flying in escort role. Immediately, the casualties were air lifted to Raipur and shifted to hospital. One of the casualty succumbed to injuries in flight on the way to Raipur. The eight injured CRPF personnel have been shifted to a hospital in Raipur. As many as 90 CRPF personnel were part of the road opening party when they were attacked by the Naxals. Director General of the CRPF and senior officials will be reaching Sukma tomorrow morning. (ANI)