Maha DGP Says Had No Intel on Gadchiroli Attack That Killed 16
Blast was executed by naxals on a police vehicle that was carrying 16 security personnel from Kurkheda Quick Response Team.
A day after 16 people, including 15 security personnel and a civilian driver, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, DGP Subodh Jaiswal denied that there was any intelligence input regarding the Naxal attack, reported PTI.
He, however, admitted that there were some lapses in operational procedures which led to the tragedy.
The blast was executed by Naxals on a police vehicle that was carrying security personnel from Kurkheda Quick Response Team (WRT) of Gadchiroli police.
The team was on its way to inspect some 25 vehicles, belonging to a road construction contractor, allegedly torched by Naxals earlier in the day, PTI reported quoting police.
The blast took place as the vehicle reached Lendhari nallah in Kurkheda area, the official said.
No Intel Inputs on the Attack: Maha DGP
To a question by reporters, Jaiswal said the IED blast that killed the policemen and a civilian driver could be the handiwork of Korchi and Kurkheda Dalams of the Naxals operating in the area.
“We suffered a heavy loss, but this will not deter us from carrying out our operations. Operations will continue with full force.”Subodh Jaiswal, DGP
It will be ensured that such incidents do not occur again, he said. He also pointed out that Lok Sabha election in the Naxal-affected Gadchiroli passed off without any glitch last month.
Earlier, after the attack speaking to the media, Jaiswal had said, they are prepared to give a “befitting reply” to the attack.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao cancelled the Maharashtra Day reception in the aftermath of the Gadchiroli attack, reported CNN-News18.
‘Perpetrators Won’t Be Spared’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders took to Twitter to condemn the attack.
Fadnavis Apprises Rajnath of the Situation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted that he spoke with Rajnath Singh – and briefed him about the situation.
Naxals Torched 25 Vehicles Earlier
Early on Wednesday, Naxals allegedly torched around 25 vehicles of a road construction company in Gadchiroli district, the police said.
The incident took place at Dadapur in Kurkheda tehsil, Shailesh Balkawade, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli had told PTI.
“A group of Maoists gathered around 3:30 am at Dadapur where the construction of a national highway has been going on since the last few months,” he had said.
They torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, the officer added.
"After setting the vehicles on fire, the Naxals escaped into the forest. A search operation has been launched," he had said.