At least 10 policemen and one civilian died in a blast allegedly carried out by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada, officials told PTI.
According to the report in NDTV, the policemen were returning from an anti-Maoist operation that was launched after intelligence inputs.
It said the policemen belonged to the District Reserve Guard (DRG)—a special force of the Chhattisgarh police that comprises mostly local tribals who have been trained to combat Maoists.
The DRG has been instrumental in several successful operations against the rebels in Bastar, a hotbed of left-wing extremism.
"The news of the martyrdom of our 10 DRG jawans and a driver due to an IED blast targeting the DRG force which had arrived for anti-Naxal operation on the information of the presence of Maoist cadre under Aranpur police station area of Dantewada is very sad. We share the grief of their families. May their soul rest in peace," Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted.
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The Maoists, also known as Naxals, have waged an armed insurgency against the government that has killed hundreds of people over six decades. They say they are fighting on behalf of the poorest, who have been left out of the country's economic boom.
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.
