PM Narendra Modi expresses grief over killing of CRPF men in Naxal attack

New Delhi, July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the killing of 10 CRPF commandos in an IED blast carried out by Naxals in Bihar and extended condolences to the families of the martyred personnel. "

The Prime Minister has expressed grief on the loss of lives of CRPF personnel in Bihar.He prays for a speedy recovery of the injured," the PMO said.

"PM @narendramodi extends his condolences to the families of the martyred CRPF personnel in this hour of sadness," the PMO said in a tweet.

Ten commandos belonging to the elite CoBRA battalion of CRPF were killed and five others injured after a group of 200 Naxals ambushed them and blew off 22 IEDs in the jungles of Bihars Aurangabad district yesterday.

"While eight personnel were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries when they were being evacuated," a senior official said.

The IED blast was followed by an encounter between security forces and Naxals in which three extremists were killed.

This is one of the biggest casualties of the elite COBRA unit which was raised by the CRPF in 2008 for undertaking special jungle/guerrilla warfare operations.

PTI