Security forces will pursue their operations against the Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, with the work of establishing camps in areas of Maoist influence expedited, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Sunday.
He was interacting with the media at the Swami Vivekananda Airport here after returning from Assam where he campaigned for the Congress party.
"It was not an encounter but a war at Bijapur. It was a face-to-face fight. Rocket launchers and firing went on four hours. It is not a minor issue," Baghel said.
Baghel held a high-level official meeting at the airport itself and sought full information from the Chief Secretary on the Maoist attack in Bijapur which killed 22 security personnel.
Expressing deep grief over the demise of the security personnel at the hands of Naxalites, Baghel called the killings a cowardly act by Maoists.
“The martyrdom of the jawans will not go in vain. The government of Chhattisgarh and the citizens of state stand with the families of deceased jawans in the hour of grief and pray for the quick recovery of the injured,” he said.
The state government is in constant touch with the Centre. A discussion will be held with army officers on tackling the Maoist issue. He denied of any intelligence failure.