Odisha jawan killed in Chhattisgarh Maoist attack

Bhubaneswar: Odia CRPF jawan was killed when Maoists blew up an anti-landmine vehicle of the 212 CRPF Battalion in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh today, said a senior police official.

The martyred jawan, identified as Manoranjan Lenka, is a resident of Rebana Nuagaon village under Brahmagiri block in Puri district.

His father Duryodhan Lenka had died a few days back. He had rejoined duty 15 days back after completing purification rituals (shudhhi kriya) associated with his father’s demise.

A pall of gloom descended on the martyr’s native village following his death.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to Twitter to condole the attack and expressed condolences to the family of Odia jawan.

Strongly condemn the attack on @crpfindia jawans in #Sukma, Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to the families of Odia jawan Manoranjan Lenka and all the brave personnel who lost their lives in the blast and wishing speedy recovery of those injured

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 13, 2018

Other jawans who were killed in the encounter were: assistant sub-inspector RKS Tomar, constable Ajay Kumar Yadav, constable Jitendra Singh, constable Shobhit Sharma, constable Manoj Singh, constable Dharmendra Singh, constable Chandra HS and head constable Lakshman.

Notably, nine jawans were killed after ablast was followed by a heavy exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoists in which the Maoists also suffered a severe blow, said Vivekanand Sinha, Inspector General (IG) of Police, Bastar.

There were 11 troopers in the anti-landmine vehicle, according to the officer.

The injured jawans were being airlifted and three helicopters will soon reach Raipur, said D.M. Awasthi, Special DG (Naxal).

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has also demanded a full report on the attack.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the incident “deeply distressing” and has asked the CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar to go to the site.

“Today’s IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh is deeply distressing. I bow to each and every security personnel who attained martyrdom while serving the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those personnel who lost their lives in Sukma blast.

“I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans. I spoke to DG @crpfindia regarding the Sukma incident and asked him to leave for Chhattisgarh,” Singh said in a tweet.