Counteroffensive: At least 15 Naxals slain during massive op in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, May 17: In the first major counterinsurgency operation within Bastar Division following the martyrdom of 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the April 24 Burkapal bloodbath, at least 15 Maoists have been neutralised and numerous injured during a counteroffensive in the worst-affected Bijapur and Sukma districts.
While rebel casualties were confirmed through radio intercepts, Special Task Force (STF) constable Salabh Upadhyay – who hailed from Uttar Pradesh – was killed and two sustained injuries in 96-hour-long fighting that concluded on Monday evening.
Those hurt were admitted to a private hospital here.
“The action was launched by about 350 personnel of the CRPF’s elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), District Reserve Group and STF in the forests of Chitrabodkel, Purbatri, Raigudum and Pedabodkel,” CRPF Inspector General D Chauhan told media in Bijapur yesterday.
For the first time in such an operation, an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter provided logistic support and undertook CASEVAC (evacuation of casualties by air).