Five persons, including a BJP MLA, lost their lives when Naxal terrorists ambushed the convoy of BJP in Dantewada in Bastar region Chhattisgarh. BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi, his driver and three security personnel died in the attack. The attack took place just two days ahead of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in the area.
DIG Anti Naxals Operations speaks on #Dantewada Naxal Attack pic.twitter.com/Ik7qmaWJPW
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) April 9, 2019
Maoists had planted an IED on the road which was triggered when the convoy reached the point. The IED was so powerful that it ripped apart the bulletproof vehicle in which the BJP leader was travelling. After the blast, people from the other cars came out, and the Maoists fired on them, who were hiding in the jungle. It triggered gunfire between the Maoists and security personnel in the convoy.
The attack took place between Kuakonta and Syamgiri in Dantewada, and a big crater formed on the road where the IED went off. The SUV was thrown away to a distance due to the impact of the blast.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted to condemn the attack, saying that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain.
Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain.
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019
PM Modi also tweeted, “Shri Bhima Mandavi was a dedicated Karyakarta of the BJP. Diligent and courageous, he assiduously served the people of Chhattisgarh. His demise is deeply anguishing. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
DIG of Anti Naxal Operations P Sundar Raj said that steps are being taken to bring the bodies of the victims to the district headquarters. He said that the PSOs killed in the attack have not been identified yet.
The CRPF has sent additional forces to the area as reinforcement. A team of police force also had been dispatched to the location. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has called a high-level meeting over the incident.
