Condolences poured in on the martyrdom of 22 jawans in the encounter with Naxalites at the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief saying, “The killing of the security personnel while battling Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh is a matter of deep anguish. My condolences to the bereaved families. The nation shares their pain and will never forget this sacrifice.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too paid his tributes. “They fought with utmost courage, their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to their families,” he said.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi said all are united in the resolve to combat naxalism and her party’s government in Chhattisgarh will continue to provide all assistance to the paramilitary forces in fighting the menace with full rigour.
In a statement, she said: “I pay homage to these jawans who have given their lives, and heartfelt condolences to their families. The nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude to them. I fervently hope for the return of our missing soldiers, and look forward to the complete recovery of those injured.”
“We are united in our resolve to combat naxalism. The Chhattisgarh Congress government shall continue to provide all assistance to our central paramilitary forces in fighting naxalism with full rigour,” she added.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka also offered their condolences. In a tweet, Rahul said, “Decisive action needs to be taken to locate & rescue the missing Jawans. I appeal to the State Govt to ensure best care for a speedy recovery of the injured.”
And Priyanka said, “Tributes to the brave jawans who were martyrs fighting naxals. The entire nation is anguished and pained. Their martyrdom will be remembered.”
Condoling the death of the security personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday said their sacrifices will never be forgotten. “My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest,” Modi said in a tweet.