Naxals used 50-kg bomb to target policemen in Chhattisgarh

The bomb used by the Naxalites in Chhattisgarh weighed 50 kilograms, preliminary investigations have found.

The Improvised Explosive Device was so powerful in nature that following the explosion trees were uprooted and a massive hole was left on the road.

11 persons including 10 policemen were killed in the attack, one of the deadliest ones in recent times.

The police personnel were travelling in a rented mini-van when the incident took place. The explosion was so powerful that the van was flung by at least 20 feet.

A source tells OneIndia that the Naxals were well prepared and had planned this operation for quite some time now. The nature of the explosives used itself suggests that this was not an operation that was planned overnight. They have closely studied the movements of the security team and also used their local intelligence network, the source added.

Post the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and took stock of the situation. He also assured the state of all help.

This is one of the deadliest Naxal attacks in recent times, which has been reported from Chhattisgarh. The anti-naxal operations have been ongoing in the state for long.