Maharashtra DGP Subodh Jaiswal said on Wednesday that there was no intelligence failure in the Naxal attack in Gadchiroli which killed 15 security force personnel.

“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.”

At least 15 security personnel and a driver lost their lives when Naxals triggered an IED blast on a police vehicle in Gadchroli’s Kurkheda-Korchi road.

A team of an anti-Naxal C-60 commando unit was patrolling the area when they came under attack.

“The Quick Response Team (QRT) was from Kurkheda police station. They were going to Purada village in a private vehicle. The blast occurred at around 12.30 pm near a nullah called Lendari in which 15 of our jawans have become martyrs,” DIG (Gadchiroli range) Ankush Shinde was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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.

Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2019

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted: “Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C-60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack by naxals today. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs’ families. I’m in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP.”

The incident came on a day when Maharashtra is celebrating its Foundation Day.

Read More: 15 security personnel killed in IED blast on police vehicle by Naxals in Maharashtra; PM Modi condemns act

Maoists had torched at least three dozen vehicles belonging to private contractors in Kurkheda sub-district of Gadchiroli earlier today.

The attack came in the final stages of a Naxal protest against the killing of 40 of their comrades by security forces on 22 April last year.

On 10 April, a day before the constituency went to polls, a CRPF jawan escorting a polling party was injured in an IED blast. The Naxals had also triggered an IED blast near a poll booth on voting day.