RAIPUR: After more than a year-long lull in violence, Maoists on Wednesday detonated an IED, killing at least 10 personnel of the District Reserve Guards (DRG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a driver near Aranpur in Dantewada district in the tribal Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
The spot is some 450km from capital city Raipur.
Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj said, “Police received information about the presence of Maoists of Darbha division in Puru Hidma region and an operation was launched by the DRG troops. After the operation, when the jawans were returning to Dantewada, Maoists targeted an IED when the vehicle reached Aranpur-Sameli.”

The bodies were being evacuated from the spot of incident and senior officers were present at the location. The search operation continues in the region, IG said.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolence and strength to the families. He said, “we join the families in the time of grief. May god give peace to the departed souls.”

Chhattisgarh governor Biswabhusan Harichandan also expressed grief over the martyrdom of jawans. He strongly condemned the attack stating that Maoists will never succeed in their anti-national intentions.
“Central and state governments are committed to jointly eliminate Maoism from the state,” the governor said in a statement.
Later, Union home minister Amit Shah also spoke to Baghel and inquired about the situation at the blast site. Shah also assured all possible help to the state government.
Watch Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh: 10 jawans and a driver killed in IED blast in Dantewada