Security forces operating in ten Naxal-affected States have been asked to maintain a high degree of “alert” in view of violent counter-offensive launched by the left wing extremists, which led to the killing of seven Chhattisgarh policemen on Saturday. Official sources said the Naxals had launched their Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) in late March in these areas.
The offensive has now been heralded with the first big attack on security forces as they killed seven STF policemen and injured about a dozen others in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
Under TCOC armed Naxal cadres undertook special violent action against security forces and others to gain ground, re-group and strategise their plan of action before the onset of summer.
“The forces were put on alert in March when the annual TCOC began. But, with this major attack in Sukma district on yesterday, the alert has been re-issued to the forces,” sources in the security establishment said.
CRPF Special Director General (Operations) K Durga Prasad today rushed to Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur to review security arrangements.