Maoist attack on CRPF jawans: Who said what

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various politicians condemned the brutal attack. Here are reactions.

Updated: Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 13:29 [IST]

Raipur, April 25: At least 26 CRPF personnel were martyred and seven wounded in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, the deadliest ambush by Naxalites of security forces this year.

The nearly 100-strong CRPF patrol providing security for road construction work came under fierce gunfire from Maoist guerrillas occupying vantage positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the personnel, sources in the paramilitary said. The Naxalites mounted the assault around 12:25 PM in Kalapathar area of south Bastar region, one of the worst-hit by Left-wing extremism in the country.

[Also Read: 26 CRPF jawans martyred in Sukma: Nation pays tribute]

The area is close to the Chintagufa-Burkapal-Bheji axis, the hotbed of Naxal violence, which has seen a number of such attacks in the past resulting in high casualties.

The Naxals were believed to have also looted over a dozen weapons of the slain personnel, the officer said. All the troops belonged to the 74th battalion of the force depolyed in the area for anti-Maoist operations.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various politicians condemned the brutal attack. Here are the reactions:

President Pranab Mukherjee

"Strongly condemn attack on CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh; condolences to families of deceased and prayers for injured."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

"Attack on @crpfindia personnel in Chhattisgarh is cowardly & deplorable. We are monitoring the situation closely. We are proud of the valour of our @crpfindia personnel. The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain. Condolences to their families."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh

"Extremely pained to know about the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. My tributes to the martyrs and condolences to their families. It is a very sad and unfortunate incident. We have taken the attack as a challenge."

Congress President Sonia Gandhi

"The sacrifice of 24 brave men is a big loss to the nation. Such mindless and ruthless attacks will never deter (us) in the fight against extremism."

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi

"My sincere condolences to the families of CRPF personnel martyred in the attack in #Sukma. We salute the sacrifice & courage of our bravehearts. This thoughtless violence will never succeed in weakening our resolve to fight forces of extremism."

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala

"Our salute to brave soldiers and condolences to families. Is it not a clear case of intelligence failure on the part of central and state governments? How does the present government propose to tackle Naxalites? Prime Minister should take decisive action against the anti-national forces, who are directly challenging the might of the nation."