Sukma encounter: CPI(Maoist) claims taking Cobra jawan hostage

Bijapur: Two days after a gun battle between security personnel and Maoists on Bijapur-Sukma border which claimed lives of 22 jawans, the CPI(Maoist) organization today claimed a Cobra jawan, who went missing during the encounter, has been in its captivity.

The Maoists reportedly called up media persons informing that the jawan, Rakeshwara Singh Manhas has been taken hostage for past three days. He is in safe custody and will be released when appropriate time arrives, the reb rebels stated.

Rakeshwara Singh has been working with the 210 Cobra battalion of CRPF.

A CRPF official said, “The security personnel were stunned by Maoists’ heavy gunfire… actually, it was an ambush designed in U-shape but the troopers too retaliated hard.”

At least 31 security personnel sustained multiple injuries during the Maoist ambush and were airlifted to Raipur for better medical attention.