It's Dantewada again: 10 cops, driver killed in Naxal attack

Ten personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and one driver have been killed on Wednesday when a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites went off in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

According to reports, the incident took place near Aranpur district during an anti-naxal operation that was launched after intelligence inputs.

Visuals from ANI showed a huge crater splitting the road wide open. Bodies covered with plastic sheets, and also vehicle parts were seen strewn along.

The area is located around 450 km from state capital Raipur. Naxalites blew up the mini-goods van in which the security personnel were travelling by using an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), police sources told news agency PTI.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). He said the team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was on an anti-naxal operation in the area.

"The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRGsecurity personnel and a driver due to IED blast on the DRG force which had arrived for anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. The people of the state pay our respects to them. We all share in the grief of their families. May their souls rest in peace," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured all help to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. In a phone call with Chattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel, Shah took stock of the situation and assured him that all possible help will be extended to the state.