Chhattisgarh: Bastar division put on high alert after Naxal attack in Dantewada

An alert has been sounded in all seven districts of the Naxalhit Bastar division in Chhattisgarh following the deadly attack by Naxalites in Dantewada which claimed the lives of 10 police personnel and one civilian police said on ThursdaySecurity forces have been asked to stay cautious while moving in a vehicle and conducting demining exercises to detect the Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs planted by Naxalites after the attack on Wednesday they saidA high alert has been issued to all district superintendents of police in Bastar region in the wake of the attack in Dantewada Inspector General of Police Bastar range Sundarraj P told PTIAlso Read PM Modi Amit Shah condemn Naxal attack on Chhattisgarh police in DantewadaBastar region which comprises seven districts namely Kanker Kondagaon Narayanpur Bastar Dantewada Sukma and Bijapur has witnessed several deadly attacks on security forces in the past particularly in summer during which rebels carry out the annual tactical counter offensive campaign TCOC and step up their offensive activitiesSecurity forces have always been put on alert during this periodThe wreath laying ceremony for the martyred jawans will be held on Thursday at the Police Lines in Dantewada where Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will pay homage to themLater the mortal remains of the deceased will be shifted to their native placesTen police personnel and a civilian driver were killed after Naxals blew up a MultiUtility Vehicle MUV which was part of a convoy carrying security personnel in Aranpur police station area of Dantewada on Wednesday afternoonThe blast was carried out using an IED containing an estimated 40 kg of explosive material Visuals from the spot showed a huge crater across the road at the blast site almost 10feet deep The MUV was completely destroyed in the blastThis was the biggest strike by Naxalites on security forces in the state in the last two yearsThe area where the blast took place is around 450 km from state capital RaipurThe deceased security personnel belonged to District Reserve Guard DRG an antiNaxal unit of the state policeOut of the 10 deceased personnel eight were residents of Dantewada district while one each belonged to neighbouring Sukma and Bijapur districtSome of them had joined the force after quitting NaxalismThe DRG personnel are mostly recruited from the local tribal population and Naxals who have surrendered in the Bastar divisionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever