Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday chaired a meeting of his Cabinet to discuss Wednesday’s Naxal attack on security force personnel in Gadchiroli district of the state.
Following the meeting, the CM said that he will be visiting the site of the attack later today.
“In today’s Cabinet meeting, we discussed the Gadchiroli Naxal attack where our jawans were martyred. DGP and other officials have gone to the spot. Once they finish their assessment there will be a detailed meeting. I’ll be visiting the spot today,” Fadnavis told reporters after the meeting.
A driver and 15 security personnel lost their lives when Naxals triggered an IED blast on a police vehicle in Gadchroli’s Kurkheda-Korchi road on Wednesday.
Maharashtra DGP Subodh Jaiswal, IG, SP Gadchiroli, Collector Gadchiroli, and anti-Naxal operation officials arrived at the attack site in Gadchiroli earlier today.
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir is scheduled to visit the site of the attack later today.
The Maharashtra DGP had on Wednesday said that there was no intelligence failure in the attack.
“It would not be right to term this as an intelligence failure. It is a dastardly attack. We will try our best that such incidents are not repeated,” the Maharashtra top cop told the media at a briefing.
The DGP said that the police is “prepared to give a befitting reply” to Naxals.
“We are prepared to give a befitting reply to this attack. Operations are going on in the area to ensure that no further casualties take place,” he said, adding, “Our people are present at the spot and more information will come out by today evening.”
A team of an anti-Naxal C-60 commando unit was patrolling the area when they came under attack. According to the police, the team was moving from Kurkheda police station and going to Purada village in a private vehicle.
The blast occurred at around 12.30 pm near a nullah.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday strongly condemned the “despicable” attack on the security personnel in Gadchiroli.
“Salute all brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with bereaved families. Perpetrators of such violence will not be spared,” PM Modi tweeted.
Meanwhile, Naxal banners were spotted near the site of the attack.