At least 10 jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and one driver was killed by Naxals in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday.
The Naxals used Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the attack which took place near Aranpur district.
Several soldiers are said to be injured and other vehicles damaged, according to initial reports.
Encounter with maoists
As per available information, a police team was patrolling in the Aranpur police station area when it had an encounter with Maoists during which they blew up the police's patrol vehicle.
As per IANS sources the incident occurred when the police team was went to rescue some policemen who were stranded due to rain.
Visuals surface
Visuals from the site have surface on social media showing several jawans at the incident site which is blown up due to the impact of the IED blast.
Bastar Range IG explained how the jawans were attacked while returning from an operation.
The attack site is around 450 km from state capital Raipur.
What is DRG?
The policemen were members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) special force of the state police. DRG comprises mostly local tribals trained to combat Maoists.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on the attack.
"Anguished by the cowardly attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada.
"Have spoken to Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance to the state government. My condolences to the bereaved family members of the martyred Jawans," Shah tweeted.
"Ten DRG jawans and one civilian driver lost their lives in the attack. Their bodies are being evacuated from the spot. Senior officers are present at the spot," said P Sundarraj, IG Bastar.
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CM Baghel reacts
Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel posted on Twitter: "News of 10 DRG (District Reserve Guard) personnel and one driver, being killed in IED attack by naxals in Dantewada is saddening. The jawans were in the area for an anti-Naxal operation."
The Chief Minister prayed for peace to the departed souls.
(with agency inputs)
