Naxal attack: Intel was general in nature, may have not been actionable

Security agencies have termed the naxal strike in Chhattisgarh as 'cowardly' and said that it was timed to coincide with the annual CPI (Maoist) counter-offensive campaign.

The naxalites had deliberately chosen Dantewada as it is a soft-target. The naxalites have been several successful strikes in the area as the security is not as good when compared to areas such as Bijapur and Sukma. In these areas, the CRPF has a very strong presence and has over the years made inroads, while setting up forward operating bases. Since the attack of 2010 in which 75 CRPF jawans were killed, security has been high in many places. The CRPF in order to combat the naxalite corridor has set up 15 forward operating bases.

Photo Credit: Wrecked remains of a vehicle after a blast carried out by Naxalites, in which at least ten police personnel and a driver were killed, in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. PTI Photo

The area in which the the attack took place is a non-core area. In such areas, it is harder to carry out a road safety operation as the main focus remains on sanitising the roads in the core areas, where the presence and threat of the naxalites is higher, an official tells OneIndia.

While the aim of the naxalites was to derail counter-operations, it was also meant to send out a message to the locals, who the security agencies rely very heavily on for Intelligence. A combination of human Intelligence and counter-operations is what led to the decimation of the naxalites in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Hence, one could say that this was a desperate attempt to keep the flag flying and also send a stern message to the locals, the official explained.

On whether or not there was an Intelligence alert about the incident, the officer said that there would be one of a general nature. It may have not appeared to be actionable as it may not have the timing and location of the attack.