A powerful explosion, triggered by Maoists in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli has claimed the life of 15 security personnel and their driver.
According to preliminary reports, an IED (improvised explosive device) was set off on a police vehicle. Around 3:30 am on Tuesday, Maoists torched 25 vehicles, using petrol and diesel in Kurkheda, Gadchiroli.
PM Narendra Modi condemned the incident, calling it despicable. He added the perpetrators will not be spared.
Gadchiroli is a Maoist-affected district that borders Chhattisgarh. The district recently voted in the first phase of India’s general elections on April 11.
The same day, Maoists have set off another IED blast in Gadchiroli on April 11. However, no one was injured in the event. On April 10, a CRPF soldier was injured in an IED blast in Gadchiroli.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter to condemn the attacks.
The chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has also condemned the cowardly attack on the police force.
Maharashtra DGP Subodh Jaiswal has said that the investigation is underway. According to the initial reports, the bus carrying 15 commandos was en route to the attack site where the Maoists had set ablaze 27 vehicles. The commando bus was targeted by the Maoists that killed all the 15 commandos and the driver.
In April 2018, security forces carried one of the biggest anti-Maoist operations in Maharashtra, eliminating over 40 rebels.
On a day when Maharashtra celebrates its statehood, the incident has raised alarms over security arrangements in sensitive areas of the state.
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